Housing Resource Center

The Housing Resource Center is four distinct, interconnected programs Nursing Home Transition, Home Accessibility, Adaptive Equipment Acquisition and Volunteers, Accessible Housing and Housing Advocacy. By combining these four programs under one umbrella, the Center can provide realistic opportunities for successful independence that addresses all aspects of housing and disability.

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.

For which program might I qualify: Access Success or Home Choice?

For those living in Institutional care for less than 6 months, visit the Access Success Program.

For those living in Institutional care for more than 3 months, visit the Home Choice Program.

Independent Living Skills and Community Support Coach Services

The Adult Independent Living Skills Trainings and Support Coach Services is a wrap around service provided through the Home Choice Program. If you participate in the Home Choice program, you may request assistance. Please contact Tiffany Tierney.

Home Accessibility (Ramp) Program

The Home Accessibility 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 program, please visit the HAP page.

Adaptive Equipment Loan/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.

The process is simple. Call the Center and ask for Equipment Loan. Amy Kerchevall, the Adaptive Equipment and Events Coordinator will check to see if the Center has the item in-stock. If the equipment is available, you will need to arrange to pick it up between the 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM (Monday through Thursday) 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 available include:

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

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 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.