A NEW DAY 2012
BUILDING INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES FOR LIFE:
BEST PRACTICES AND INNOVATIONS
4TH ANNUAL ARCA EMPLOYMENT & HOUSING CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 17-19, 2012
Agenda
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Welcome
ARCA Housing Principles & Goals
What is an Intentional Community?
Intentional Communities - National Models
Starting an Intentional Community
Other Critical Issues
Question & Answer Session
Closing Comments
ARCA Housing Principles
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Affordable housing is not a disability issue; it is a community issue.
A broad range of housing options must be created in order to meet
the diverse needs - includes a range of housing types, sizes, and
locations.
Housing should not segregate people.
Housing must be affordable for people with developmental
disabilities.
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Support services should not be tied to housing.
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Separate the ownership of housing from the provision of services.
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Use principles of Universal Design and “green” building practices
ARCA Housing Goals
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Housing Development — increasing the stock of affordable housing through
set-asides, scattered site acquisition, new construction, and pooled trusts.
Housing Services — educating, informing, advocating and assisting people
in locating and maintaining housing.
Property Management Services — related to the repairs, maintenance and
upkeep of properties owned by nonprofit housing organizations.
Funding Solutions — innovating financing strategies and funding programs.
Enabling Choice — building a future where people with developmental
disabilities have access to affordable housing of their choice, in the
community of their choice, with roommates of their choice, and service
provider of their choice
Critical Issue
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Housing is not just real estate !!
When planning ANY type of housing
consider how services and programs
will be integrated with the physical
property.
What is an Intentional Community?
A Definition
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“Intentional Community” is an inclusive term for
ecovillages, cohousing communities, residential
land trusts, communes, student co-ops, urban
housing cooperatives, intentional living,
alternative communities, cooperative living, and
other projects where people strive together with a
common vision.
Source - Fellowship for Intentional Community (http://www.ic.org)
What is an Intentional Community?
A Common Mission & Vision
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The Mission & Vision Statements – drives almost all
decision-making
Sharing common values
Sharing common goals & purpose
Community living with rules but flexibility to allow for
individuals differences, preferences & needs
Collective effort & participation
Not an end in itself but a TOOL on how to organize one’s
life
What is an Intentional Community?
Variables & Options
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Primary mission
Ownership & sponsorship
Services
Location
Staffing
Funding
Activities/Programs
Intentional Communities - National Models
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Bittersweet Farms - Whitehouse, OH
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Sweetwater Spectrum - Sonoma, CA
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Camphill Communities – 10 in USA
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Benjamin’s Hope – Holland , MI
Intentional Communities
Bittersweet Farms
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Intentional Communities
Bittersweet Farms
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First farmstead model in US for adults with autism
Primary mission - to positively impact the lives of individuals
with autism and those whose lives they touch
Ownership & sponsorship – 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by
parents and professionals (opened 1983)
Services – licensed intermediate care facility, community living,
habilitation and day programs – serves 45 residents
Location - rural
Staffing – employed by Bittersweet, Inc.
Funding – Ohio DDS, US Dept. of Labor & private
Intentional Communities
Bittersweet Farms – Programs/Activities
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Residential services
Horticulture – greenhouses, agriculture enterprise
Woodshop – operating machinery, wood products
Animal care – horses, chickens, goats – gross motor skills
Grounds keeping – 80 acres lawns, gardens & woods
Culinary arts – meal prep, baking, catering, pesto
Arts, ceramics & weaving
Habilitation activities – recycling, gardening, office work
Community-based employment
Intentional Communities
Sweetwater Spectrum
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Intentional Communities
Sweetwater Spectrum
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Intentional Communities –
Sweetwater Spectrum
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Autism-specific & “green” designed
Primary mission - to provide adults with autism an innovative,
supportive residential community & challenge each individual to reach
his or her highest potential.
Ownership & sponsorship – 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by parents
and professionals (opens Dec. 2012)
Services – unlicensed – 4 homes for 16 residents – serve the entire
“spectrum” of needs & financial resources
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Location – 3 acres, suburban, 4 blocks to town
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Staffing – employed by unaffiliated SLS/ILS vendors
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Funding – residents pay rent, food, utilities & entertainment – SLS/ILS
vendor staff paid by regional center
Intentional Communities –
Sweetwater Spectrum – Programs/Activities
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Community center with media room, teaching kitchen, arts/music
room, movement/exercise studio & library
1.25-acre urban farm with organic vegetable gardens,
orchards and greenhouse
Water activities - therapy pool & spa
Coordinated volunteer system
Outdoor passive and active lawn areas
Animal care – chickens and rabbit hutches
Assist in staff training programs & development
Commitment to replication
Intentional Communities
Camphill Communities
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Primary mission - to provide a nurturing and dynamic residential
community where adults with developmental disabilities live,
learn and work together professional caregivers and volunteers.
Ownership & sponsorship – 501(c))(3) founded by Karl König
and inspired by the anthroposophical teachings of Rudolf
Steiner
Services & Programs – 24/7 licensed residential & day
programs – serves 12 residents in Soquel, CA
Location – semi-rural
Staffing – “co-workers” employed by Camphill
Funding – staff paid by CA DDS
Intentional Communities
Benjamin’s Hope
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Primary mission - to be an embracing natural setting where
people with disability and the community gather for Christcentered fellowship, treatment, housing and meaningful work
Ownership & sponsorship – 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry founded
by parents and professionals (opens 2013)
Services & Programs – 24/7 residential & day programs –
serves 24 residents plus day participants
Location – 40 acres, rural
Staffing – employed by unaffiliated service providers
Funding – staff paid by MI DDS
Starting an Intentional Community
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How does one get started?
What will make it successful?
“Best practices” to emulate
Advice & pitfalls to avoid
Starting an Intentional Community
How does one get started?
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Establish a committed, working team
Create the entity/organization & practices
Determine your mission & vision
Identify a property with nearby resources
Identify funding sources – start-up, development &
ongoing operating budgets
Identify services, programs & partners
Spread the word & networking
Create community goodwill
Starting an Intentional Community
What will make it successful?
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Understand/research your target residents
Provide a culture of choice & options
Sustainability – financial & services
Dedicated/committed families – perseverance !!
Engage a diverse team/Board of skilled people
Listen & learn – be flexible & adapt
A sound step-by-step business plan – think long-term
while planning short-term
Starting an Intentional Community
“Best practices” to emulate
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Implement strategies to integrate residents into the
community
Architectural elements designed to improve the lives
of residents
“Green” building design
Separate housing from services
Allow for “aging in place” of residents
Bittersweet MAPS model – Meaningful Activity,
Aerobic Activity, Partnership & Structure
Starting an Intentional Community
Advice & pitfalls to avoid
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Don’t assume it is a part-time project or hobby – it is a MAJOR commitment &
do hire professional help
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Don’t go it alone – find a partner or others to team with
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Be patient in finding the right location
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Engage your neighbors & don’t underestimate possible objections
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Know your laws – Lanterman Act, Olmstead, fair housing, disability rights, etc…
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Engage your local politicians & bureaucrats
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Remember – you cannot serve everyone
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Set boundaries with your “founding” families
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Don’t accept all donations – equipment, animals, plants
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Tell your story from the heart and don’t be offended if not everyone shares your
love of your project
Other Critical Issues
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CA state budget considerations
Funding sources (HUD, etc…)
Affordability
Resident employment – minimum wage goal
Transportation
Behavioral support
Federal funding/waivers
Staffing
Aging residents
Question & Answer Session
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Open Discussion
Closing Comments
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The Past
The Present
The Future