Housing Options

Privately Owned or Rented: The most common housing is in one’s own home in the community, whether that is an apartment or house, owned or rented. There are services and supports available to older adults and people with disabilities which allow them to continue living in their own home as needs change.

Age-Restricted Communities: Age-restricted communities are an option for privately owned or rented housing in an environment geared to older adults.

Accessory Dwelling Units: These dwellings may be attached or adjacent to the main home on the property and provide independent living, often with support.

Public Housing: Housing that is subsidized by the government and managed by municipal housing authorities provides affordable, independent living in communities. Senior and disabled housing is restricted to older adults and people with disabilities.

Private Subsidized Housing: Similar to public housing, privately owned and managed housing developments that offer rental units that are subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for eligible residents.

Housing Cooperatives: Housing Cooperatives provide an affordable alternative for some people. They are owned by a Cooperative Corporation. Residents own shares in the coop and lease units.

Congregate Housing: These facilities provide private apartments in a communal setting, a daily meal and housekeeping. Additional support services may be available.

Residential Care Homes: Residential Care Homes provide a private or semiprivate room in a communal setting, meals, housekeeping and supervision and may include other support services.

Assisted Living Facilities and Managed Residential Communities: These communities provide a private apartment within a communal setting. Meals, housekeeping, transportation and maintenance services are provided in addition to assisted living services such as limited nursing, personal care and medication assistance.

Adult Family Living: In an adult family living arrangement, an older adult who needs some assistance shares a home with a caregiver, often a family member or a friend who provides support. The arrangement is overseen by an agency authorized by the State.

Community Living Arrangements / Group Homes: Homes in the community that are shared by up to six people with intellectual disabilities. The State Department of Developmental Services (DDS) or private agencies contracted by DDS manage the homes and provide 24 hours a day support and supervision.

Community Companion Home: These are private homes in which a family provides a home and care for up to three individuals with intellectual disabilities. A community companion home provides support services 24 hours a day.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities: Provide a continuum of levels of care on the same campus. Residents can move from independent living to assisted living to nursing home as their needs change.

Nursing Homes: Nursing Homes are licensed facilities that provide 24-hour care including skilled nursing, rehabilitation, meals, personal care and supervision to people with unstable or chronic conditions.

Regional Centers: Regional Centers are facilities that provide comprehensive and individualized health care, rehabilitation, meals, personal care and supervision in a residential setting to adults with intellectual disabilities.

Emergency Housing: Individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can access emergency housing support.