“A rendering of a home in Crossbridge Point, a new community for adults with and without developmental disabilities that’s planned for Whitestown, Ind.” – (ILADD, Inc./Charles M. Brown Architect, Inc.)

by Michelle Diament

“Communities of varying shapes and styles are popping up across the country, all aiming to address the severe shortage of housing options for those with developmental disabilities.

Among the newest projects underway is a 15-acre community planned about 20 miles outside of Indianapolis that will offer homes for adults with and without developmental disabilities. The $12 million project that’s expected to open in 2023 will include various size homes as well as a community center and feature clubs and classes promoting independent living skills. Known as Crossbridge Point, the community being developed by the nonprofit ILADD, Inc. is among the first aimed at people with developmental disabilities that will allow families to purchase homes, though the plan also calls for rental units to be available.

“’Families increasingly are telling us they want the permanence and equity of home ownership,’ said Mark L. Olson, president and CEO of LTO Ventures, which serves as consultant and project manager for the development and others like it. ‘It provides certainty in that a landlord cannot sell a home out from under tenants who may be leasing. It gives the family more control over accommodations or modifications that may need to be made. It builds equity that the adult with IDD can tap into later in their life after the parents are gone. It protects against rent increases or landlord discrimination.’”

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