Neuro-Inclusive Housing Needed for Utah’s Autistic Adults

Somewhere between 20% and 40% of Utah’s homeless population has autism or another intellectual and developmental disability, according to the director of a project to help Utahns with autism. This troubling statistic highlights the challenges faced by Utah’s autistic adults, who often find themselves without the necessary support systems in place to secure stable housing and adequate care.

The factors contributing to such an astonishing statistic boil down to one thing: lack of support and housing accessibility for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Many adults on the autism spectrum experience barriers that prevent them from accessing appropriate housing and support services, resulting in a cycle of instability that can be difficult to escape.

In 2021, the Madison House Autism Foundation conducted a needs assessment study involving Salt Lake Valley adults who have autism. This comprehensive study uncovered several pressing concerns, with the No. 1 issue identified being housing. The findings prompted the foundation to collaborate with various partners “to understand what autistic individuals and their families need and want for future residential and support options,” as highlighted in a report on the study.

The implications of this study are profound, as they reveal the urgent need for solutions tailored to the unique needs of Utah’s autistic adults. The report was a focal point during the Utah Housing Coalition’s November meeting, where Sumiko Martinez, the director of Madison House’s Autism After 21 Utah Project, and Kristy Chambers, CEO of the Columbus Community Center and board member of the Utah Housing Coalition, discussed the pressing issues surrounding housing for this vulnerable population.

The Autism After 21 Utah Project was designed “with the goal of building neuro-inclusive communities throughout the state of Utah, seeing if we can do that in an evidence-based way on a statewide basis and then creating a blueprint that other states can use if they want to come to the table and (make) communities more autism-friendly and friendly to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Martinez said. This initiative aims to create sustainable and inclusive environments where autistic individuals can thrive.

The study reported that approximately 191,000 adults in Utah have autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Of those, about 32,000 live with a caregiver over the age of 60, which raises concerns about the future stability of their housing situation. As caregivers age or face health issues, these individuals may be at risk of losing their homes and the support they rely on.

Martinez emphasized the concept of “neuro-inclusive housing,” defining it as “residential opportunities that are financially, physically, and cognitively accessible.” While the Americans with Disabilities Act addresses a spectrum of physical disabilities, the need for neuro-inclusive housing focuses on accommodating the cognitive and financial challenges that many disabled people face. This distinction is critical for developing effective housing solutions that truly serve the needs of Utah’s autistic adults.

While the housing market continues to grow rapidly, Utah’s Division of Services for People with Disabilities reported that only 21% of adults with a disability are employed, working an average of just 10.5 hours a week. This limited income further complicates their ability to secure housing, especially given that the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates a full-time job at $24.19 an hour, or working 133 hours per week at minimum wage, is necessary to afford a single-bedroom apartment in Salt Lake City.

“It’s not just about solving for housing; it’s also solving for necessary support services,” Chambers said. This sentiment underscores the importance of addressing not only the physical spaces where individuals live but also the support systems that facilitate their daily lives and overall well-being.

The solution for the lack of neuro-inclusive housing, as Martinez suggested, lies in long-term support services. These services encompass housing education, the development of affordable housing options, and the creation of inclusive communities that cater to the needs of disabled individuals. By addressing both housing and support services, we can pave the way for more sustainable living conditions for Utah’s autistic adults.

In the housing analysis survey, Martinez noted that intellectually and developmentally disabled Utahns showed preferences for apartments and condos equipped with “extra durable features” (amenities that are easy to use and hard to break), smart-home features like an oven that turns off after a certain amount of time, and sensory-proofing options such as dimmable lights. These preferences highlight the importance of designing living spaces that cater to the unique needs of this population.

Other crucial resources for long-term support services include life skills classes, sex education, money management, and automotive maintenance, Martinez added. These classes are essential for equipping autistic individuals with the skills necessary to live independently and thrive within their communities.

The study’s conclusion states that inadequate housing due to financial issues or lack of data availability is causing “systemic challenges facing Salt Lake Valley’s ability to meet the needs of its neurodiverse population.” Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes both housing and support services.

The findings from the Autism After 21 Utah project study on housing market analysis will be utilized in conjunction with the Utah Housing Coalition to establish and pursue goals for improving housing and care for disabled individuals. This includes innovative strategies, such as converting old hotels into housing units designed specifically for people in need of neuro-inclusive housing.