Mission & Programs

Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence over the last 40 years.  Autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and neurodiversity are general terms for a neurological condition where the individual processes and interprets information and the world around them a little differently resulting in sensory sensitivities, repetitive routines, intense focus on narrow areas of interest, and social awkwardness making it very difficult neurodiverse individuals to transition into adulthood and achieve the same hopes and aspirations as their neuro-typical peers.

Although an estimated 35% of young adults with an ASD are attending and completing college, unfortunately the unemployment rate is approximately 75% for those same college graduates. This is likely because the support and basic accommodations that individuals with an ASD received through their education years simply stops once they graduate college and attempt to transition into a professional career. 

Unfortunately many employers have yet to understand that having autism and being a successful professional are not mutually exclusive and until then individuals with autism will continue to experience the highest unemployment rates of any other group of individuals with disabilities and the the need for affordable housing for these individuals and families is unprecedented. With the continually increasing demand for affordable housing, we are facing a crisis of upward of a 70% shortage of these homes. This extreme shortage means that individuals with ASD and their families are spending in excess of 50% of their monthly budget on just basic housing and utility expenses leaving them struggling to pay for the remaining essentials.

Our Mission is to…

Provide affordable housing solutions for working individuals and their families that are living with an autism spectrum disorder and are struggling with the expense of basic housing through community awareness, advocacy and support.

Our Purpose is to…

Be an affordable housing resource between the services and benefits available through the government and community programs to those that are developmentally disabled and the accessibility restrictions imposed on those that have a neurological condition and struggle to achieve the modest income needed to be self-sufficient.

Our Programs…

• Community Awareness & Advocacy – Actively and meaningfully learn from and share information regarding housing issues facing the neurodiverse community with different segments of the community to enhance knowledge, skills and behaviors that promote affordable housing opportunities for those living on the autism spectrum.

• Fundraising – Promote voluntary contributions of money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies through individual donor cultivation, grants, fundraising events/campaigns, social media and direct mail donations. In addition, participate in real estate transactions and direct any profit from the rental or resale of the transaction to support housing procurement, maintenance, and individual placement activities per the stated mission.

• Workshops – Provide interactive training where participants learn how to recognize, assess, and handle common household maintenance and repair situations. Work with participants and homeowners to register and qualify with HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program. Encourage regular social interaction to reduce the percentage of unemployed, disconnection and or isolated autistic adults.