Spotlight

#14 Affordable housing meets neuroinclusivity

When we think about the shortage of new affordable housing in Canada and the affordability of existing housing supply, it is easy to lose focus on accessibility and neuroinclusivity. In this spotlight, we try to connect the two, by bringing a neuroinclusive lens to affordable housing.

In October 2024, we attended the “Exploring Affordable Housing Solutions for People with Diverse Abilities” event with the Intentional Community Consortium in Kitchener, Ontario. Following that, we hosted a “Neuroinclusivity in Housing” event with the Sinneave Family Foundation in Calgary, Alberta.

We share insights and learnings from these events and for each aspect, we highlight the important connections to neuroinclusivity.

Context

Affordable housing and neuroinclusive housing are often understood and discussed as different issues but they are intricately connected.

Opportunity

Bringing together community and experts in affordable housing and neuroinclusive housing to generate shared understandings and shared goals can benefit people working in each sector and the people they serve.

Affordable housing meets neuroinclusivity

Relationships and partnerships

image of hexagons containing people arranged together

Affordable housing insights

Organizations can leverage expertise in different areas to move projects forward.

Recognizing and partnering with the many stakeholders in the housing ecosystem leads to successful housing development. Individuals and organizations do not need to do this work alone.

A neuroinclusive lens

Partnerships need to include the people and communities being served, whether it is within organizations or as a separate advisory role, because the community will know what they need and will bring their expertise and experiences to the table.

There are organizations and consulting firms that can provide expertise on creating neuroinclusive spaces and services.

Affordable housing insights

Collaboration between P4 partners (public, private, philanthropic, and non-profit housing providers) can be an important part of funding housing development.

Having financially self-sustaining homes is difficult because there is a gap between ongoing maintenance costs and available subsidies.

The right mix of funding at the right time is challenging and critical for housing development.

A neuroinclusive lens

Affordable housing should provide opportunities for Autistic and Neurodivergent people to attain financial and economic stability.

While income and rent are significant aspects of financial security, we need to also consider other expenses Autistic and Neurodivergent people will encounter, such as supports, food, and medical costs.

Financing and time

Community conversations

Affordable housing insights

Early and regular outreach to communities prior to building affordable housing helps smooth the development approval process.

Despite best efforts by housing providers and their partners, there can still be resistance to having affordable housing in a community.

A neuroinclusive lens

Education materials around neurodiversity and neuroinclusivity should be available for housing providers and service organizations.

Destigmatizing autism and neurodivergence is an important step towards building an inclusive community.

Affordable housing insights

Starting a new build with accessibility and adaptable features planned in is easier than trying to add them in after.

Factoring in building costs early may help developers with a desire to build accessible and affordable housing secure funding.

A neuroinclusive lens

Applying architectural designs that are neuroinclusive enhances accessibility.

We need to have expanded building standards that incorporate neuroinclusivity into current accessibility standards.

Knowledge and desire to design

Buildings and supports

Image of a process within a web of connected elements

Affordable housing insights

Mixed income affordable housing helps reduce poverty in communities.

Recognizing and fostering the connections between housing providers and service providers makes it easier to continue to provide supports to the community.

A neuroinclusive lens

Many attendees spoke about the need for light supports or check-ins for their neuroinclusive clients.

Flexible supports that can adapt to people’s changes in needs are preferred over blanket approaches.

Attendees expressed a desire to find ways to create flexible living spaces and deliver flexible supports moving forward.

The bottom line

There is no one solution and one solution can have multiple benefits.
Let’s continue to work together to make it happen.

We would like to thank:

The Intentional Community Consortium for inviting us to their event.

The presenters at our Neuroinclusivity in Housing event, representing: HomeSpace, Ayrshire, Partners for Affordable Housing, City of Calgary, Onward Homes, Liberty Housing, METAFOR architecture, and Civida.

All the attendees for their participation and insights.