Housing Resource Center

HRC LOGO ART

ACT’S Housing Resource Center Staff:

Ash Lemons - Director of Housing Resource Center
Don Smith – Nursing Home Transition Manager
Nicole Cape – Nursing Home Transition Coordinator
Charlie Martin – Home Accessibility Manager
Tiffany Tierney – Community Inclusion Coordinator/IL Skills/PCA
Shelley Papenfuse – Disability Rights Advocate
Mindy Metzger – Home Accessibility Coordinator
Becky Strieff – Housing Advocate
Amy Kerchevall – Adaptive Equipment and Events Coordinator
Terry Lanning - Home Accessibility Assistant
Roger Lemle - Home Accessibility Assistant

Matt Whitmore – Custodian

Location:

Located on the Monroe Street campus, ACT’s Housing Resource Center (HRC) is comprised of four distinct but interconnected programs:

• Nursing Home Transition
• Home Accessibility
• Adaptive Equipment Acquisition and Volunteers
• Accessible Housing and Advocacy

By combining these four programs under one umbrella, in one office, our hope is to provide realistic opportunities for successful independence that address all aspects of housing and disability.

Nursing Home Transition Program

This program has its own page. Access it in the left column under “Quick Clicks” or by going here.

Home Accessibility (Ramp) Program

This program has its own page. Access it in the left column under “Quick Clicks” or by going here.

Adaptive Equipment Acquisition and Volunteers

From time to time, durable medical equipment is donated to the Ability Center. This equipment, much of it new, is cleaned and prepared for use by our loan closet. Should one suddenly acquire a disability, either temporary or permanent, and find themselves in need of a piece of equipment, it can be borrowed for a period of time, up to 90 days, at no cost.

Equipment Loan Pick-up and Drop-off hours are: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. at the HRC Building on our Monroe Street campus. To get to this building, enter our eastern-most driveway and follow the access road to the left. The building sits back in the trees behind the Promenade Shops.

Types of equipment include, but are not limited to:

• Wheelchairs
• Walkers (with and without wheels)
• Crutches
• Canes and Quad Canes (with four little feet)
• Commode Chairs
• Hospital Beds
• Portable Ramps

The process is simple, requiring a single form be filled out. The Ability Center does not deliver or pick up equipment. It must be picked up at and returned to the center.

If you, or someone you know, are in need of equipment, please contact Amy Kerchevall, Adaptive Equipment and Events Coordinator at The Ability Center: (419) 885-5733 or (866) 885-5733, or, via email: akerchevall@abilitycenter.org.

Accessible Housing and Advocacy Program

Staff of Accessible Housing and Advocacy Program

Ash Lemons - Director of Housing Resource Center
Becky Strieff – Housing Advocate
Shelley Papenfuse – Disability Rights Advocate

Summary of Program

“Nobody wants to live in a nursing home. That should tell us something.” – Wade Blank, Advocate

Besides the human rights issues, advocates cite the economic implications of Visitability: By 2010, research by the National Association of Home Builders indicates that half of all US homes will be headed by persons 55 years old or older.[3] Average nursing home costs exceed $60,000 dollars per year per resident[4], while nearly 70% of nursing home costs are paid with public funds.[5] Staying out of institutions as long as possible is a strong desire of most people and also financially beneficial to individuals, families and society.

The Accessible Housing and Advocacy Program provides information, consultation and advocacy with respect to Visitability and Universal Design. This program can also connect folks with Realtors and home builders knowledgeable and capable of identifying your next accessible home. Our goal is to maximize residential functionality and marketability by taking a responsible look at community needs and identifying economical, environmental and aesthetically pleasing solutions.

A few links that may be of help:

For House Hunters

www.ohiohousinglocator.org

If you are looking for a reputable home builder or remodeler:

www.deckerhomes.com
www.accessiblerenovationsinc.com
www.stanberyhomes.com
www.accessquipllc.com

Realtors
Coming Soon

If you are looking for or wish to become an housing advocate:
www.cohhio.org
www.olrs.ohio.gov
www.nationalhomeless.org
www.policymattersohio.org
www.ohiocdc.org
www.disabilityinfo.gov

Additional Information
www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea/Visitability/index.asp
www.udeworld.com/visitability.html
www.concretechange.org
www.visitability.org
www.ohiovisitability.blogspot.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visitability
Visitability Fact Sheet-2009 pdf