Transition Map

Planning Future Living Arrangements

Adults with developmental disabilities have a much wider choice of housing within their communities than in decades past. Choices range from independent living, to minimally supported living, to fully-staffed community living arrangements.

To begin planning for adult living in the community, families need to:

• Fill out the http://www.dpw.state.pa.us PUNS Priority of Urgency for Need of Services) with your supports coordinator from the Office of Mental Retardation/BSU before your child turns 17, or five years before graduation. The PUNS form opens your file with the Commonwealth of PA for support services. Even if there is no need for living away from home at this time, you should fill out the PUNSto be sure your file is active should the need arise for an emergency housing placement within the next five years. Update the PUNS annually.
  
• Ask your supports coordinator for a list of Adult Service Provider Agencies that offer housing for adults with developmental disabilities. Discuss how much support your son/daughter may need in living away from your home.
  

How to Find the Right Home for Your Adult Child

Here are some general answers to questions families often ask when looking toward future residential options.

• Q - Will my adult child be able to live in a group home after high school? And how can I find group homes in my community?
  
  A - In the current environment, it is unlikely that a young adult graduating from the school system will move directly into a government-funded community living arrangement (CLA or group home). With the large number of adults with disabilities currently living with their families and waiting for a community living arrangement, it will only be possible in an extreme emergency.
  
  To find a community living arrangement in your community, call the county office responsible for services to people with disabilities. In most counties that is the Office of Mental Retardation Services.
  
• Q - Can I contract for support services if my child lives in an apartment with a friend? Will any agencies help me pay for those support services? Which agencies?
  
  A - You always have the choice of contracting (paying) for support services. This can be in the family home of the person with a disability and in a person's own home (house, condo or apartment). There are nonprofit organizations that can help get funding for the services. In all situations, there will be an income criterion for eligibility and amount of funding possible. Again the place to start is the county office responsible for funding and managing services for people with disabilities.
  
• Q - Can an adult child with a disability own a home without losing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits? Would they qualify for low-interest rate mortgages? Where can I find information on this?
  
  A - An owner-occupied home that does not generate income for the person with the disability is not considered as part of the "assets" in determining the amount of the SSI benefits. Low interest rate mortgages (subsidized mortgages) are available to people based on government eligibility criterion. By definition, a person receiving SSI benefits is very low income. However, in order to qualify for a mortgage, the person (or persons) applying for the mortgage still has to meet other requirements of the lender. Information about subsidized mortgages are available from county housing organizations (each county has its own name for their housing organization but typically it will be " County Office of Housing and Community Development") and knowledgeable real estate agents.
  
• Q - If I build a "granny cottage" on my property for my adult child, are there tax breaks or low-interest loans to do so?
  
  A - The first thing to consider with a "granny cottage" (also known as second units, backyard homes, ECHO Housing, auxiliary units, and accessory units) is whether your local municipality allows for this type of housing in its zoning code. It most situations you will have to apply for a variance or some other type of zoning relief. If you live in a community that is controlled by a "housing association," there may be restrictions on this type of addition.
  

To follow-up with more specific questions, contact Michael Weingram through email at projectdevelop@aol.com or call 215-947-5451.