Sponsored by
The Need
Adults with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) face a critical shortage of housing options and access to supports they need to thrive.
The First Place Global Leadership Institute Center for Real Estate & Community Development is launching a comprehensive housing market analysis of needs and preferences in Greater Phoenix to drive future planning, funding and significant advancements in public policy.
The Process
Options Presentation
Stakeholder Survey
Data Analysis
Final Report
The Purpose
Collect data
Determine what individuals need and want.
Identify barriers
Identify barriers to meeting demand.
Work together
Demonstrate how the public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors can work together to mitigate displacement or homelessness.
In advance of identifying needs and preferences, First Place will host a virtual gathering to inform stakeholders with I/DD and their family members/guardians of housing and service delivery options with the goal of creating confidence that they have been sufficiently informed of available choices.
This effort will also enlist input from a group of local leaders with a vested interest in preventing potential displacement and homelessness of this vulnerable population.
The Participants
In Collaboration with
Lead Partners & Major Sponsors
This seminal work would not be possible without the generous support of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Phoenix IDA, the Arizona Community Foundation and Bill and Alyssa Sunderland, all leaders recognizing the value of housing as a major social determinant of health and the need for a common language to inform, improve and launch a marketplace of innovative housing solutions.
Bill and Alyssa Sunderland
Leadership Advisory Board
An international Leadership Advisory Board representing industry luminaries is working together to develop strategies for how public, private, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors can build, grow and align communities to meet ever-increasing demand and serve the vast and diverse needs of individuals with autism and other neurodiverse populations. These thought leaders are defining—and defying—barriers and further exploring various models to significantly improve and increase access to supportive housing across the country.
A Place in the World News
- First Person: A Place in the World for Everyone – Jewish News
- New Report Aims To Help Arizonans With Cognitive Disabilities Find Housing – KJZZ
- ‘Demand is High’ for Valley Housing for Adults with Autism – Phoenix Business Journal
- First Place & Autism Housing Network Release ‘A Place in the World’ Report to Advance Neuro-Inclusive Housing & Community Development – InBusiness
“Housing and community options for special populations are today where the senior housing industry started 50 years ago. We still have much to do to create a marketplace of options, recognizing that, like age, diagnosis alone does not determine an individual’s home needs or preferences.”
First Place AZ
"For millions of adults with autism, 'the next empty bed' should not be the only option. By bridging innovation across different industries, we can create an array of neuro-inclusive housing opportunities that benefit everyone in communities across the country."
Autism Housing Network
"Helping individuals with a range of different abilities live the healthiest, happiest, most integrated lives possible drives me every day. I’m excited to be a part of advancing the healthcare delivery system to work better for everyone."
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
“Building communities that provide housing for all members of our diverse population is part of our mission. We are pleased to provide support for such a groundbreaking study and look forward to its results.”
Phoenix IDA/Phoenix Community Development & Investment Corporation
"We want 'A Place in the World' to inform the decision-making happening in the community and at the same time inspire future scholars who select this type of research for their career paths.”
ASU Morrison Institute for Public Policy
"As with any complex issue, valid, nuanced data is needed to effectively respond to the housing demand of adults with neurodiversities—and there is still so much to learn."
ASU Morrison Institute for Public Policy
“Wouldn’t it be really cool if we could develop a community that focused more on independent, semi-independent living in an apartment sort of setting where individuals would control their own space, make choices and also have staff supports...?”
The Arc Jacksonville
“Affordable housing, or the lack thereof, is the biggest issue... The only way to address that, we felt, was not to study it, but to increase the supply of homes that people could afford.”
Bergen County's United Way
“Good design for autism is just good design. It's not that different from other design processes. We just need to add in a few more layers.”
Project Design Architect, RSP Architects
“There is not just a housing gap, but a legitimate housing crisis facing adults with autism and other cognitive disabilities. Distinct policy actions—and inaction—influence how we understand and measure the adequacy of housing and services for neurodiverse adults."
Fellow, Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Center for Public Policy at the First Place Global Leadership Institute
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