If you’re a parent of an adult with intellectual disabilities, chances are you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the future.
“Where will my loved one live?”
“What kind of support will they need?”
“How do we know which housing option is the right fit?”
As parents of adults with intellectual disabilities, we remember what this feels like. These are big questions and they can feel overwhelming.
At Delta Housing Be Mine Society, we know that exploring housing options for adults with intellectual disabilities is rarely a simple process. Every individual has different strengths, support needs, preferences, and goals for independence. What works well for one person may not feel right for another.
The good news is that you don’t need to have all the answers right away.
Often, one of the most helpful places to begin is by identifying what matters most to your loved one. Taking the time to understand their priorities, preferences, and support needs can help narrow down the options and make the planning process feel more manageable.
Start with What Matters Most
When exploring housing options, it can be helpful to focus less on finding the “perfect” solution right away and more on understanding what type of home and lifestyle would help your loved one feel comfortable, supported, and happy.
Knowing where to start can often feel like the hardest first step. That’s why we’ve broken down some prompting questions below that can help you and your loved one start the planning process.
What Is Important to You About Your Home?
Home means different things to different people.
For some adults with intellectual disabilities, living close to family may feel most important. Others may prioritize being near friends, public transportation, work, activities, or familiar community spaces.
Some questions to consider:
- Do you prefer an apartment, townhouse, or house?
- Would you feel more comfortable in a quieter neighbourhood or somewhere busier and more social?
- Is being close to transit important?
- Do you want outdoor space?
- Would you rather live in a newer building or somewhere smaller and familiar?
There are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to start identifying the environments where your loved one feels safest, happiest, and most connected.
What Kind of Supports Are Needed?
Support needs can vary widely from person to person and can change over time.
Some adults may only need occasional support with things like budgeting, grocery shopping, or transportation. Others may need more consistent daily support with routines, medication management, cooking, or personal care.
It can help to think about:
- What tasks can your loved one currently do independently?
- What tasks require reminders, visual prompts, or support?
- What type of support helps them feel successful?
- What routines are already working well at home?
Understanding support needs can help families determine which housing models may be the best fit and what additional services or resources may be helpful in the future.
Tip: Use the Independent Living Skills Checklist from our recent blog post to gain a well-rounded view of what supports might be needed.
What Type of Home Feels Right?
There are many different types of inclusive housing options available, and each comes with different benefits.
Some individuals may thrive in:
- An apartment building with peers nearby
- A shared living arrangement
- A townhouse with roommates
- Room and board
- A suite within a family member’s home
- A more independent rental arrangement with outside supports
For some families, exploring these options can feel emotional. It’s important to remember that finding successful housing is about helping your loved one build a life that feels meaningful, stable, and connected to community. The best housing option is the one that balances independence, safety, support, and quality of life.
Who Do You Want to Live With?
This is one of the most important — and sometimes most overlooked — parts of housing planning. Some adults with intellectual disabilities may dream of living independently on their own. Others may prefer living with roommates, friends, siblings, or support providers.
Living arrangements can have a huge impact on comfort, independence, social connection, and emotional wellbeing. Taking time to think through compatibility and preferences can make a meaningful difference.
Questions to explore together:
- Do you enjoy spending a lot of time around other people?
- Would you prefer quiet or social living spaces?
- Do you want roommates?
- Would you feel more comfortable living with someone you already know?
- What qualities would make someone a good roommate or housemate?
What Budget Is Available?
Housing planning also includes understanding what financial resources are available for living expenses and supports. While finances can feel stressful to navigate, understanding your budget early can help narrow down realistic housing options and reduce uncertainty later on.
This may include:
- Rent or mortgage costs
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Transportation
- Support services
- Recreation and social activities
Families may also want to explore:
- BC Housing options
- CLBC-funded supports
- Rental subsidies
- Shared living arrangements
- Long-term financial planning tools
It’s Okay If the Plan Changes
One thing we’ve learned through our own experiences is that housing journeys are rarely linear. Needs change. Preferences evolve. What works at one stage of life may not work forever.
And that’s okay.
Finding the right housing option often involves learning, adjusting, and continuing to build supports over time.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Planning housing for an adult with intellectual disabilities can sometimes feel isolating. But there are families throughout our community asking the same questions, exploring the same decisions, and navigating many of the same emotions.
Connecting with others can provide reassurance, practical ideas, and a reminder that there is no one “perfect” path forward.
At Delta Housing Be Mine Society, we believe adults with intellectual disabilities deserve housing options that reflect their unique needs, goals, and vision for independence. If you’re looking to join a network of local families exploring these same options and advocating for housing that suits different needs, consider becoming a member today.
