Four million dollars will be used to develop affordable housing options for adults with disabilities, according to a joint press conference between the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD) and the Cincinnati Development Fund (CDF) held on Oct. 8.
The Board of Commissioners and Development Fund will provide the funding for LADD to establish nine “smart homes” in Colerain Township, Springfield Township and Hyde Park, starting in 2027.
“We are honored to partner with our friends at LADD, which addresses a critical need for more housing options for those with disabilities in Hamilton County,” said Commission president Alicia Reece about the arrangement. “What LADD is doing is unique and has never been done before. This is something that others will be looking to replicate throughout this country.”
Susan Brownknight, CEO of LADD, said these funds will give adults with disabilities more autonomy in their communities.
“Alicia Reece and the rest of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners have given people an opportunity to not have their life scripted and laid out before them, but instead to be fully engaged and participate fully in the communities in which they live,” she said.
Once the homes are completed, they will be used by LADD to provide services and support for 36 additional developmentally disabled adults in Hamilton County.
This project is the latest expansion of LADD’s mission, which began 40 years ago. Founded in Cincinnati in 1975, LADD was created to help adults with disabilities traverse daily life. Initially offering only education, and training that could be used to make their clients more independent, LADD opened their first independent educational and residential program in 1976.
In 2020, LADD launched its “Smart Living” model, which consists of clusters of three or more homes located within a five-minute drive of each other in walkable neighborhoods. The clusters are close to bus stops that lead to places where residents can shop and work. Each smart home features technology paired with in-person LADD staff to support residents’ independence.
Tech used in these homes to make the lives of residents more comfortable include a SMART security system, sensory/relaxation rooms and a virtual personal assistant.
LADD also has Smart Home clusters in Blue Ash and Anderson Township, which includes the Heidt Smart Living Home. The same facilities will be accessible in the affordable homes announced on Tuesday.
“This $4 million investment provides dignity for our residents who want independence,” said Commissioner Denise Driehaus. “By partnering with LADD, we are not just creating homes; we are empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives within their communities.”
This article appears in Oct 2, 2024 – Oct 15, 2043.