Community Insight

Affordable Housing Meets Neuroinclusivity

For this Community Insight, we explore the connections between affordable housing and neuroinclusivity.

When thinking about Canada’s shortage of new affordable housing and the affordability of existing housing, it can be easy to overlook accessibility and neuroinclusivity. This Community Insight connects these topics by applying 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. We then hosted a “Neuroinclusivity in Housing” event with the Sinneave Family Foundation in Calgary, Alberta.

We share insights and key learnings from these events and highlight how each connects to neuroinclusivity.

Context

Affordable housing and neuroinclusive housing are often understood and discussed separately, but they are closely connected.

Opportunity

Bringing together community and experts in affordable housing and neuroinclusive housing can help build shared understanding and goals. This benefits both sectors and the people they serve.

Shared Insights

Relationships and Partnerships

Affordable Housing Insights

Organizations can draw on expertise from different partners to move projects forward.

Building relationships with stakeholders across the housing ecosystem supports successful housing development. Individuals and organizations do not need to work alone.

A Neuroinclusive Lens

Partnerships must include the people and communities being served, whether within organizations or through advisory roles. Communitty members bring lived experience and insight into what is needed.

Organizations and consultants can also provide expertise in creating neuroinclusive spaces and services.

Affordable Housing Insights

Collaboration among P4 partners (public, private, philanthropic, and non-profit housing providers) can support funding for housing development.

Creating financially sustainable housing can be challenging, as ongoing maintenance costs may exceed available subsidies.

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

A Neuroinclusive Lens

Affordable housing should support Autistic and other neurodivergent people in achieving financial and economic stability.

While income and rent are important, it is also necessary to consider additional costs people will encounter, such as supports, food, and medical expenses.

Financing and Time

Community Conversations

Affordable Housing Insights

Early and ongoing engagement with communities can support the housing development approval process.

Despite these efforts, some communities may still resist new affordable housing developments.

A Neuroinclusive Lens

Education about neurodiversity and neuroinclusivity should be available for all housing providers and service organizations.

Reducing stigma around autism and neurodivergence is an important step toward more inclusive communities.

Affordable Housing Insights

Planning accessibility and adaptable features early in the design process is more effective than adding them later.

Identifying building costs early may help developers secure funding for accessible and affordable housing.

A Neuroinclusive Lens

Neuroinclusive architectural designs can strengthen accessibility.

Building standards should better incorporate neuroinclusivity alongside existing accessibility standards.

Knowledge and Desire to Design

Buildings and Supports

Affordable Housing Insights

Mixed-income affordable housing can help reduce poverty within communities.

Strong connections between housing providers and service providers can make it easier to continue providing community supports.

A Neuroinclusive Lens

Many attendees spoke about the need for light supports or regular check-ins for neurodivergent clients.

Flexible supports that can adapt to changing needs are preferred over one-size-fits-all approaches.

Attendees also expressed a desire to create flexible living spaces and provide flexible supports moving forward.

Acknowledgements

We thank the Intentional Community Consortium for inviting us to their event.

We also thank 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.

Finally, we thank all attendees for their participation and insights.

We welcome questions and feedback. Send us a message using the form.