New Partnerships Foster Inclusive Communities

In keeping with one of its five core values, Wesley Housing is fostering inclusive communities through newly forged partnerships with local nonprofits Our Stomping Ground (OSG) and Community Residences Inc. (CRi) who provide tailored supportive services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) or with serious mental illness (SMI).

 

With OSG and CRi’s assistance in prospective resident identification, outreach, and referrals, we will provide priority leasing preference to 65 individuals in this vulnerable population, including those transitioning from a nursing facility, group home, assisted living facility, psychiatric hospital, the criminal justice system, and/or homelessness. Together, we are working closely with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and Virginia Housing Support Services (VAHSS) to not only provide this population with stable home environments, but also ensure close proximity to public transportation, general necessities, employment opportunities, and community engagement activities.

 

Once housed, OSG and CRi each assist these individuals with their transition to the community and support them through integrative programming and individualized case management.

 

OSG supports the transition of adults with ID/DD to a more independent life by providing tools and one-on-one assistance to individuals and their families in the transition process. OSG supports three Wesley communities by providing diverse programming and social places for people of all abilities to meet, as well as through community outreach, community events, and an established network of providers and volunteers. OSG designs and delivers programming targeting the ID/DD community which is open to all residents, including vocational, therapeutic, and social experiences.

 

CRi‘s Housing Specialty Care Team assesses support needs of individuals with ID/DD and SMI and provides additional support in securing appropriate housing. In partnership with Wesley Housing, CRi staff provide ongoing support to tenants across 10 Wesley communities by development and annual review of individualized housing support plans while providing individual successful living skills.  CRi aims to expand these residents’ social and community connections, reduce emergency hospitalizations, expand participation in employment and/or volunteerism, as well as improve satisfaction of housing and services.