ADVOCACY GOAL 5
Expanding Housing Options for People in NY State
with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Too many New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) lack the housing choices they need. Outdated rules and limited funding options push families into crisis. Let’s modernize policy so people can choose where and how they live, with the right supports.
The Current Situation
- 95,000+ New Yorkers with IDD live independently or with aging caregivers—often without adequate support.
- OPWDD’s four‑person housing subsidy cap limits innovation and choice.
- Families face crisis placements because of too few options.
- Aging infrastructure and limited capital funding worsen the shortage.
Regulations focus on compliance over outcomes, restricting creative models. - Nurse Practice Act limits keep DSPs from assisting with meds in many community settings, reducing housing flexibility.
Our Proposal – Expand Housing Options
- Remove the four‑person subsidy cap to align with person‑centered approaches.
- Invest through Medicaid HCBS waivers and ARPA reinvestments to build/upgrade community homes.
- Adopt proven, inclusive models used in states like Colorado and Minnesota to expand choice and foster independence.
Modern rules + the right funding tools = more safe, affordable, and person-centered housing choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
OPWDD limits housing subsidies to no more than four people living together, which can restrict person‑centered design and innovative models. Lifting the cap can open up more flexible options.
By using Medicaid HCBS waivers and ARPA reinvestments for capital projects that create or upgrade community homes.
Yes. CCOs guide planning, and modernized regulations allow telehealth and adaptive supports to keep people safe at home while honoring choice.
States like Colorado and Minnesota use inclusive housing approaches that broaden choice and promote independence—models New York can adapt.
Ellen shares her journey to independent living