The Invisible Housing Crisis – How the Housing Needs of Millions of People with Disabilities are Being Overlooked

Welcome to Accessible Housing Matters!

In today’s episode, I welcome Desiree Kameka Galloway

Desiree Kameka Galloway is a recognized disability housing expert. As the Director of the Autism Housing Network for the Madison House Autism Foundation, she spent over a decade researching the barriers and identifying unique opportunities to increase residential options for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, has led national advocacy efforts on issues of autism in adulthood and has positively influenced policy development at national and state levels. Having visited over 120 residential opportunities and social enterprises across the USA, and led a network of over 250 organizations, Desiree uses this experience and network to help individuals and local leaders understand supportive housing options, service delivery models, and strategies for neuro-inclusive community development.  

Desiree is also the proud co-author and co-editor of the groundbreaking report, A Place in the World: Fueling Housing and Community Options for Adults with Autism and Other Neurodiversities. Her work in housing is included among international academics and professionals. She has been invited to speak on panels at the World Human Rights Cities Forum by UN-Habitat, the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, Great Minds Coming Together on Autism International Conference, and at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) on Autism After 21 and was an invited member of the IACC Housing Taskforce. She is also a certified cohousing consultant and a Cohousing Solutions 500 Communities Affiliate.

Desiree’s vision is that every person with intellectual/developmental disability, autism, or other neurodiversity can access a home in their community that actively fosters relationships and meaningful inclusion. This vision drives her company, Neuro-Inclusive Housing Solutions, LLC to conduct local market analysis, support advocacy efforts and coalition building, connect professionals and provide consulting services to housing developers for data-driven housing solutions across the country.

Listen to find out more about:

[00:01 - 03:06] Opening Segment

• I welcome Desiree Kameka Galloway to the Show
• • Bio
  • “My job is so exciting!” Desiree shares the joys of her profession
• A Perfect One Size Fits All?

[03:07 - 27:07] The Invisible Housing Crisis

• As bad as we think it is
• • We talk about the housing crisis we all know about
  • The American Housing Survey
  • Invisible in the data and displacement
• The Invisible Group: Over 7-Million Members
• How to Address an Ongoing Housing Problem
• • Step 1: Making the Invisible Visible
  • Step 2: Local-Level Needs
• All across the spectrum, “This has to be cross-sector work.”
• • Difference per state
  • The Lanterman Act
  • Medicaid Had to Evolve
• Medicaid Expansion and Resolving the Homeless Crisis
• • Some points to ponder on 
• Medicaid Dollars for Housing Support
• Technology and Remote Support Services
• • Types of technologies for people with IDD and DD
• So much support, not a lot of resistances
• • Funding, language
  • Top 3 Things You Have to Learn
• Housing Solutions as Triangles
• How Desiree got involved in this work
• In a Stage of Trailblazing

[27:08 - 29:11] Closing Segment

• See links below to know more about Desiree Kameka Galloway
• Final word

Resources Mentioned: 

• A Place in the World: Fueling Housing and C