Please note, these notes only represent our understanding of what was conveyed at the discussion, and do not necessarily represent the intent delivered by panelists. Just a disclaimer. Don’t come for us.

Hosted by C4SD (reported by Meme)

Current SD Housing Models in NY State

Next Meeting: March 15th Friday / 9 AM / Zoom

HOST

Mike Sweeney of Endeavor 21+ and Karma House

Luv Michael: South Hampton, NY

Lisa Liberatore
  1. 4 Homes(in 4 years)
  2. Unique Relationship with Greek Orthodox Church
  3. Teamed up with Local University (SUNY?)
  4. Used their own money for construction, renovation, garden, and basement
      (Gym and Theater room)
  5. SD funded model and looking for other revenue streams ($500,000 annual
      deficit for 10 individuals across 4 homes)
  6. They host community events in their homes
  7. Message: “friendship is the secret sauce”

Marcus House: Buffalo, NY

Cindy Romanowski

●  Apartment Model: 7 families (independent living)

●  Location was Key: close to bus, bank, pharmacy, dollar tree and lots of restaurants

●  SD only pays for residential

●  YALT: young adult life transition (college campus transitional program for work) ex: work in public school cafeteria (unionized) ●  Medicaid pays for day hab or job coaching

●  SSI covers rent and utilities (divided evenly)

●  Perks: not being a landlord (when things break just call the super)

●  Rent: $1900/month (1900/3=$663)

●  Avg monthly housing expenses: $723

●  Shared staffing and FI (get a good life coach and enhance pay rate)

●  Paid Neighbor (lives within 30mins)

●  SNAP covers food

●  Pros: financially sustainable, private lease eliminates need for OPWDD interference, no “board” oversight, not a lifetime commitment

SNACK: East Side NYC Manhattan

• Jackie Ceonzo
  

     1. Purchased a building E 53rd bw 1st and 2nd Ave (we are in our last year
        of our second 10 year lease)
     2. SNACK funded by 501C3: private pay model (no penalty fee for small class
        sizes)
     3. Fundraised for deficit: Columbia University Grassroots Foundation
        (employees chip in)
     4. Her son works at columbia university cafeteria ($16/hr)
     5. Opened SNACK works program: Ecommerce site (provides office work for
         local companies selling stuff online) www.shop.snacknyc.com
     6. ArchCare: division of the archdiocese. It’s the arm that runs the
         nursing homes. Renovated a convent. Cardinal funded the majority of the
        renovation. 10 apartments.
     7. Eastchester, NY: construction is now ongoing to convert the convent at
        Immaculate Conception Church apartments in a fully renovated building!!
        SD funding model. OPWDD keeps turning them down bc you can’t have more
        than 4 people in one home limit. Hence the reason for starting Coalition
        4SD.
  

  A Home of my own: Binghamton, NY

  Paul Egan

  1. Bought a house: used SD to buy (running it for 5 years now)
  2. Big problem: need self sustaining process
  3. Lease the house from the owner: contract with owner and non profit (lays
        out clearly the responsibility for each) for liability issues
  4. Currently looking for families to purchase a house together
  5. Set up a rent that covers all the expenses that are not reimbursable from SD and SNAP ($750/month)
  6. Springbrook: FI is fabulous
  

Summary: few dierent options but they are all privately funded. 3-4 families came together to buy a house. Everyone uses OPWDD money to supplement the rent. Each has dierent aspects, all with similar services. The people who bought the house are still actively involved. All fairly new purchases (within 5 yrs). They all run a deficit.