Getting the most out of Autism Housing Pathways

Autism Housing Pathways (AHP) has been around for almost 7 years now. In that time, we have developed a number of workshops, presentations, and services. Many are free, some have a cost associated with them. While all are available a la carte, you will get the most out of your interactions with AHP if you take a systematic approach to using our services to put together a housing strategy for your family member.

1. Start by reading the Turning 18 checklist to get an idea of what you need to do when your family member is approaching 18.
2. Come to a presentation of “Thinking about housing”. This two hour program is Housing 101, and will introduce you to the funding streams and regulations you need to be familiar with to develop a housing strategy.
3. Use My Benefits Generator to give you an idea of what MassHealth disability programs you might consider applying for.
4. If your family member is 18, visit 18section8.org to learn how to apply for a Section 8 housing voucher. Still confused? Sign up for one of our Section 8 sign-up clinics.
5. As your family member approaches 22 (or if they are already 22 or older), attend a daylong housing workshop, “Learning about housing”, to get a deeper understanding of the process. Once you have completed the workshop, there will be opportunities to connect with others who have participated.
6. Download a free housing workbook for your family member to help them visualize the process and develop their own housing vision.
7. Look at our resources on building living skills, including our links on skills for living, our visual supports, and our hygiene and cleaning schedule.
8. Check out our webinar on assistive technology (slides are here) and the technology page on our sister site, MAhousingthinktank.org
9. Consider person-centered planning to get assistance in crystallizing the housing vision and working out the steps to get there.
10. Need more assistance? Consider signing up for a free 50 minute housing counseling session (when available). Additional consultation is available on a fee-for-service basis.
11. Always remember that detailed information, including mortgage calculators, boilerplate legal language for various home ownership models, and information related to housing location, design, and construction, is available in the Members section of our website.