Residential Planning

Definitions:

Affordable Housing: Housing is considered affordable if the monthly cost does not exceed a certain percentage of the family's monthly income. The acceptable percentage usually ranges from 30-35% of a family's gross monthly income.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Provides federal civil rights protection to individuals who are physically or mentally disabled. The ADA prohibits discrimination against the disabled in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. Entities that are covered by ADA must make reasonable accommodation which involves adapting programs, facilities, or work places to allow disabled individuals to participate in the program of services.

Community Inclusion: Means more than just living in the community. It entails full acceptance by other community residents, as well as access to all community resources, and the opportunity to participate in all aspects of community life.

Companion Services: A non-disabled person who spends all or part of the day with a person who has a developmental disability, providing minor assistance with activities of daily life, including the social aspects. This is a Medicaid Waiver service.

Department of Community Affairs (DCA): DCA fulfills three major roles in developing and implementing policy in the State of Florida which are: housing and community development, emergency management, and community planning. DCA's activities are accomplished through the following: providing technical assistance; planning projects; administering grant programs; reviewing plans, programs and developments; intergovernmental coordination; and, fostering public/private partnerships.

Developmental Disability: Florida Statute 393 defines "developmental disability" as a disorder or syndrome which is attributable to retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, or spina bifida and which constitutes a substantial handicap that can be reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely.

Developmental Service Institution (DSI): Large congregate residential facilities that are owned and operated by the State of Florida. Formerly known as the Sunland Centers, at this time four DSIs remain in Florida - Sunland at Marianna, Tacachale (at Gainesville), Gulf Coast Center (at Fort Myers), and Landmark Learning Center (in Miami). Room and board, training, therapies, and medical, dental, and nursing services are offered in a DSI.

Equity: The market value of real property, less the amount of existing debt or liens.

Fair Housing Act: This act makes it illegal to deny housing, refuse to rent, sell, or negotiate, or offer different terms and considerations because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, or familial status. If you suspect violation of the Fair Housing Act or want more information, you may contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Housing, 451 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410 or call at 1-800-669-9777.

Group Home: A community residential facility licensed by the Developmental Disabilities Program to provide a family living environment including the supervision and care necessary to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of its residents. The capacity of a group home is at least four residents but not more than fifteen.

Homemaker Service: A trained homemaker comes to the home of a person with a disability, to provide assistance with shopping, meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, etc. The homemaker's usual schedule may be for one or more days a week, from 2-4 hours per day, or as needed by the individual. This service is allowable under the Medicaid Waiver.

Household: An individual, family, or group of individuals living together as a unit in a home.

Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD): A residential facility licensed in accordance with state law and certified by the federal government as a provider of Medicaid services to persons with developmental disabilities who live there. Such facilities may be in the community or institutions.

Lien: A recorded claim against a property whereby the property is held as security for a debt. Under certain circumstances, the holder of the lien is entitled to have the property sold to satisfy the debt.

Medicaid Waiver: This is a source of combined federal and state funding for services, available to clients of the Developmental Disabilities Program who are eligible for Medicaid, and whose needs require the level of care required by an ICF/DD, but who choose to remain in the community. Determination of who will receive Medicaid Waiver services is made by each district office. Providers of Medicaid Waiver services must be certified and enrolled as Medicaid providers.

Mortgage: A temporary and conditional pledge of property to a creditor as security for the repayment of a debt. The borrower (mortgagor) retains possession and use of the property.

Natural Supports (Generic services): Are services used in supported living that already exist in the community. These are supports available to everyone (e.g. a YMCA, city transportation, etc.).

Parent-owned Housing: A private home in the community, shared by a small group of people with developmental disabilities, which was purchased or built by the parents of the residents. There may be an initial fee, or an initial and monthly fee for each resident. Some may be considered co-op's or cooperative housing.

Personal Care: The kind of care given in a person's home or in a developmental services residential facility. This care is usually provided by an aide or an attendant and includes such things as help with bathing, dressing, and grooming.

Personal Emergency Response System: Is another service allowed by the Medicaid Waiver. It allows a person with a disability, living alone, to summon help or alert others of an emergency situation, via an electronic device.

Quit Claim Deed: A legal instrument filed with the county of residence, which allows parents to transfer ownership of a home to themselves and their grown child with a disability, as joint tenants or owners. Allows the home to pass directly to the adult with a disability upon the death of the surviving parent.

Section 504: This is the section of the Handicapped Accessibility/Architectural Barriers Act that requires all public buildings to be designed, constructed, or renovated to provide access for physically handicapped persons.

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program: SHIP was the centerpiece of the Affordable Housing Act of 1992. SHIP is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) and channels documentary stamp revenue to Florida's counties and cities for the express purpose of creating and preserving affordable housing.

Subsidy: Financial assistance in the form of government loans, grants, or other contributions that are used to make housing affordable.

Supported Living: A group of individually determined services designed and coordinated in such a manner as to provide assistance to adult clients who require ongoing supports to live as independently as possible in their own homes, to be integrated into the community, and to participate in the community life to the fullest extent possible.

Supported Living Coach: The individual who provides training and assistance in a variety of activities, which enables a person with a disability to live in his/her own home or apartment in the community. This may include such activities as: learning daily living skills, personal grooming, household chores, and personal financial management, so that the person is able to maintain an autonomous household.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): This department within the federal government is mandated by Congress to create conditions for every family to have decent and affordable housing, to ensure equal housing opportunities for all, and to strengthen and enrich the nation's communities. Offices are located at the national and state levels.

HUD Locator for general information: (202) 708-1422 Affordable Housing Information Center: (800)998-9999. The State Coordinator's Office (serves South Florida): Jose Cintron, Director 1320 South Dixi Highway, 5th floor Coral Gables, Florida 33146-2911 (305)662-4510; fax: (305)662-4519 e-mail: Jose_Cintron@hud.gov The Jacksonville office (serves North and Central Florida) 301 West Bay Street, Suite 2200 Jacksonville, Florida 322202 (904)232-2627; fax: (904)232-3759 web site: http://www.hud.gov/local/jkv/jkv_home.html