Accessible Housing Resource Center | The Ability Center of Greater Toledo

Housing Resource Center

The Housing Resource Center comprises several interconnected programs Public Policy, Nursing Home Transition, Home Modifications, Accessible Housing Advocacy and Long Term Care Advocacy. By combining these programs under one umbrella, the Center can provide realistic opportunities for successful independence that addresses many aspects of housing and disability.

Public Policy

In an effort to stay closely connected to legislative matters facing Ohioans living with disabilities, and as a support for all fellow Centers for Independent Living in the state, The Ability Center maintains an Office of Public Policy in Columbus.

From this office the Center can monitor legislation, help to move forward potential legislation and respond immediately, if necessary, to political change. The Office of Public Policy provides input to legislators while alerting Ohioans with disabilities to opportunities in which they can become involved in influencing policy.

Nursing Home Transition Program

NHT banner The Nursing Home Transition Program assists people by connecting them with programs and services necessary to maintain independent living within a community. Ability Center staff are Transition Coordinators for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Access Success and Home Choice programs. If you are ready and able to leave a long-term care facility setting, the Nursing Home Transition staff is ready to assist you in coordinating your transition.

Consumers must reside in a nursing facility for a minimum of 3 months before they can qualify for the Ohio Home Choice Program.

A consumer or nursing home staff person can call and speak with someone on the Nursing Home Transition Team for more information concerning the Transition Program process.

Home Modifications Program

The Home Modifications Program utilizes federal, state and local grant dollars to assist individuals with accessible home modifications necessary to maintain quality of life and independent living. For more details on this, please visit the program page.

Accessible Housing Advocacy 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 individuals 55 years or older will head half of all US homes.[3] Average nursing home costs exceed $60,000 dollars per year, per resident[4], while the public pays nearly 70% of nursing home costs.[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 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 features necessary for an 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.

Long Term Care Advocacy

The Ability Center works to provide long term care advocacy by participating in several local and regional task force and councils, among them are the Ohio Olmstead Task Force, CATR and the Home Choice Community Advisory Council.

The Ohio Olmstead Task Force is a grassroots coalition of people with disabilities of all ages, family members and organizations advocating together for the right to live, work and participate in their communities.

CATR, or the Community Advocates for Transportation Rights is a small group of concerned individuals with disabilities working to ensure access to transportation in Toledo and the surrounding communities.

HOME Choice assists older adults and people with disabilities to move from long-term services and support systems to home and community-based settings. The Ability Center participates in the advisory council for the program.