The exact definition of the term learning disability housing can vary widely from one country to another. In the US, this term may refer to housing that is subsidized by the government in order to provide safe, affordable living space for persons with learning disabilities. To qualify for this kind of housing, an individual generally must have a profound learning disability as well as a low-income status. Learning disability housing may also refer to housing that is run by a non-profit agency that assists disabled individuals. Residents of this type of housing may be offered a number of supportive services.
In the US, the term learning disability housing is frequently used to refer to a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that offers subsidized accommodation to disabled individuals and, in some cases, their families. Generally, this assistance is available only to individuals with learning disabilities profound enough to impede their ability to work. Additionally, the disabled individual or his family generally must qualify for low-income housing based on their financial situation. If the individual needs the assistance of an emotional support animal (ESA), then a justifying esa letter must accompany their application for housing.
Those who meet the criteria for this type of learning disability housing are usually issued vouchers by HUD. These vouchers can then be applied toward the cost of rent at participating residential buildings. Generally, voucher holders and their families are responsible for finding a participating apartment or house that meets their needs.
Learning disability housing can also refer to a residence that is owned and operated by a non-profit group that provides support to individuals with a range of different disabilities. This type of housing may take the shape of a large group home or a collection of individual apartments. The cost of living in this type of accommodation may be covered by the non-profit organization that oversees it or may be paid for by the disabled individual or his family. In many cases, admission to this type of housing program may be offered only to those with acute learning disabilities.
Generally, one of the main goals of learning disability housing that is operated by a non-profit group is to help residents live as independently as possible. Consequently, residents of this type of housing may be offered a number of services that help them learn to manage their disability in real-world situations. Residents may, for instance, be offered some form of vocational training or taught to use various forms of assistive technology, such as voice-transcription software.
