Housing and Home Modifications
State and community resources are available to assist you identify housing options, shelters and funding resources. In addition, there are suggestions for home modifications and adaptive design which can be essential in allowing individuals with disabilities to live in their own homes, with as much independence as possible. This is sometimes called universal design or inclusive design. It may involve adapting or modifying a home for a child who has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair or crutches, or it might include making room changes for someone who has a hearing or vision disability.
The Center for Infants and Children with Special Needs at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides information on housing resources, home modifications and adaptive design for families who have children with special health care needs.
Housing Resources | Home Modifications and Adaptive Design | Child Alarms and Locators | Funding Sources | Architects and Consultants
- Center for Independent Living Options (CILO) is the oldest center for independent living in Ohio serving individuals with disabilities in Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky. They can assist with affordable, accessible housing, emergency shelter, provide help for the homeless, independent living skils and personal assistance.
- Cincinnati Benefits and Resources has comprehensive information on local housing programs.
- Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) offers several housing assistance programs. This web site describes the available programs and provides information on how to apply.
- Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit Christian housing ministry who partners with families to build homes and offer no-interest mortgages. Check out Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity and Millcreek Valley Habitat for Humanity (northern Hamilton County) for information about local projects and how to become a partner family.
- Hearth Professionals for Independent Living assists individuals all ages and functional levels to live as independently as possible in their own home, independent living apartment or assisted living housing. Contractors, lawyers, personal finance, occupational therapists and health care providers work together to support individuals in the community.
- Housing Resources developed by the Ohio Legal Rights Service.
- Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati takes cases helping clients prevent evictions and foreclosures, eliminating lead paint hazards, addressing lockout or utility cutoff by landlords, and preserving affordable family housing.
- MortgageLoan.com is a guide to housing and mortgages for people with disabilities. It covers terminology, the process of buying a house and financial assistance.
- People Working Cooperatively, Inc. (PWC) provides emergency home repairs and energy-saving weatherization in 16 southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky to income eligible homeowners.
- Transitional Living, 2052 Princeton Road, Hamilton, Ohio, provides 24/7 psychiatric treatment, nursing services, residential treatment, counseling, community support services, homeless outreach and housing. Office is open Monday -Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Middletown location is 1630 Central Avenue, Middletown, Ohio. Residents of Butler County, age 18 or older with a mental disability, are eligible. For information call 513-422-4004.
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Shelters
- City Gospel Mission, 1419 Elm Street, Cincinnati, is a 24 hour shelter for men only (must be there by 6:30 pm to stay the night), have ID and Social Security number. Meals include breakfast at 6:30 am and dinner at 6:30 pm, 7 days a week. Services include donated clothing, family food baskets, medical screenings and HIV testing, five week job readiness program for men called the Exodus Program and a rehabilitation program. Will also accept Butler County residents. Call 513-737-9701 for more information.
- Family Services of Middletown, 1131 Central Avenue, Middletown, Ohio, is a family shelter with office open Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Food pantry is open Monday, 9:00 am - 11:30 am, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm; Wednesday, 9:00 am -11:30 am, 12:30 pm -1:30 pm, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am -11:30 am. Must have picture ID and Social Security number for all household members, proof of income and proof of expenses. Provides emergency assistance and services to stabilize individuals and families in an effort to obtain self-sufficiency. Emergency food, shelter, utility assistance, prescription assistance, clothing vouchers, diapers, formula, Dental Emergency Fund for Area Children (DEFAC) and clearinghouse for appliance and furniture donations. Accepts Middletown, Madison, Trenton and Monroe residents. Call 513-423-4637 for more information.
- Lighthouse Transitional Living, 4059 Reading Road, Cincinnati provides transitional living services to males and females, ages 18-22, who are either homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. Office is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. They have two apartment buildings in Cincinnati, as well as scattered apartment sites. They have counseling, employment assistance, employment training, juvenile delinquency prevention and youth advocacy services. Shelter Plus Care Program addresses mental health issues for ages 18-25. Individuals may transfer from a Butler County shelter with proof of placement. Call 513-861-1111 for more information.
- Serve City, 622 East Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio provides assistance to adults without children. Office is open Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am - Noon, Tuesday, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Saturday, 9:30 am-11:30 am. Photo I.D. required. Provides food once a month to Butler County residents only. Also provides furniture assistance and clothing, if available. Call 513-737-9701 for more information.
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Home Modifications and Adaptive Design
Homes can often be modified and made more accessible with some minor structural changes and can be done without the help of a professional. You can ask your child's physical or occupational therapist for suggestions of adaptive equipment and modifications. There are sometimes inexpensive and creative solutions to improve accessibility. Other challenges require extensive renovations and the assistance of a professional remodeler or architect.
As you identify needed modifications, remember to think about your child's future needs. As a child grows, will the bathroom be large enough and will the bedroom accommodate a hospital bed? Will you need a dedicated room for therapy? Some popular examples of home modifications include:
- Constructing ramps
- Widening doors and changing from knobs to levers
- Lowering countertops
- Installing grab bars, shower seats and walk-in bathtubs
- Installing a stair glide or elevator
- Easy Access Housing, made available through Easter Seals and Century 21, provides helpful suggestions for adapting every room in the house.
- Creating Accessible Homes, published by Kansas State University, has helpful suggestions.
- Home Modifications information and resources developed by the Ohio Legal Rights Service.
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Keeping children safe is a challenge for parents and caregivers. Fortunately, there are specially designed alarms that provide a warning when a child wanders away.
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Funding Sources
A tax deduction can often be taken to reflect the cost of home modifications as a medical deduction. Home modifications must be certified by a physician as being required for health reasons. Other financial resources may be available to to help families pay for home modifications.
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Architects and Consultants
Take time to get recommendations and research an architect or contractor who has experience in home modifications.
- Check with your local American Institute of Architects chapter for recommendations.
- While Cincinnati Children's does not endorse specific architects, several Cincinnati area firms have indicated that they specialize in adapted design. Remember to research and ask for recommendations:
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If your questions are not fully answered by our Special Needs Resource Directory and its links, please contact us via email.
Rev. 11/09
