{"id":7173,"date":"2018-10-25T11:40:21","date_gmt":"2018-10-25T15:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cityplanning\/?page_id=7173"},"modified":"2019-09-16T11:29:48","modified_gmt":"2019-09-16T15:29:48","slug":"chuck-intravaia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cityplanning\/jobs-internships\/directed-internship-program-dip\/chuck-intravaia\/","title":{"rendered":"Chuck Intravaia"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This summer I worked at Specialized Housing, Inc., a company that helps families create independent living spaces for adults with developmental and other disabilities. \u00a0\u00a0Located in Brookline, MA, Specialized Housing has developed and continues to manage several multi-unit homes, which are organized through condominium associations. Specialized Housing developed 14 homes in Greater Boston, and 2 in southern Maine. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The model for the housing is \u201chome ownership\u201d, rather than rental, with approximately 10 residential units in each home, plus 2 staff live-in units. \u00a0The mission of Specialized Housing is to promote independence, dignity, responsibility, and a sense of community for the residents. The residents and their families form relationships, support each other, as well as reach out and function within the wider community.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was drawn to Specialized Housing both because of my work experience in multifamily housing and for a personal reason. \u00a0My wife and I have been blessed with three young sons, and our middle son, Dylan, who is 2, was born with Down Syndrome. We want Dylan to grow up to become the best person he can be \u2013 and to be as independent as he possible can. \u00a0Although it\u2019s several years down the road, part of my interest in Specialized Housing was to learn about independent living situations and opportunities for Dylan as he reached adulthood. <\/span><\/p>\n

The home ownership model for Specialized Housing\u2019s homes intrigued me. \u00a0I assumed that owners would tend to be more committed and emotionally invested in a property than renters. \u00a0I experienced that commitment first hand when I visited several of the properties and met the residents. In addition to the professionalism of the program managers at each house, the residents seemed cheerful and content. \u00a0Some residents even went out of their way to conduct personal tours of their homes and living spaces for me as a new visitor. Also, the homes were clean, orderly and organized, which demonstrated to me that the residents were helpful and cooperative with house rules.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, as with other forms of real estate, the cost of ownership of a Specialized Housing unit is greater than the cost renting a similar unit at a different facility. \u00a0Residents and their families purchase the units and pay condominium fees which cover program managers, on-site staff, food and other living expenses. Although some residents receive housing and other assistance, which can be used to offset the condominium fees and possible mortgage payments, the net cost to live in these homes is relatively high. \u00a0Most of the families are middle or upper class with the means to purchase the units and keep up with the ongoing costs. Also, when a resident is no longer able to live in the home and needs to move, due to a variety of reasons, Specialized Housing tries to find a suitable candidate to replace that resident. However, there is a limited number of candidates available to replace the resident due to both: 1) Specialized Housing not being aware of potential candidates, and 2) the families of special needs adults not having the means to purchase the unit outright and maintain expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n

My internship\u2019s main goal was to help Specialized Housing address the concerns of not having available, qualified candidates to replace departing residents through: <\/span><\/p>\n