Investment-Based Intentional Community

An intentional community can also be privately owned by investors, who may or may not be parents and family members. In this model, the investors pool their funds as an LLC to acquire or build a multifamily property with the specific intention of renting at least a portion of the units to adults with developmental disabilities.  The investors earn income through rental payments, which cover mortgage, operations, and maintenance. The LLC does not provide services or supports, which would need to funded separately through the Regional Centers.

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PROS:

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• Parents can invest in nearby housing for their ASD children, retaining some control over the money including the option to withdraw, rather than donating it to a nonprofit, which involves many uncertainties.
• Parents, as owners, remain active in assuring the quality and care of the property. ASD-friendly amenities can be built into project plans.
  

CONS:

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• Requires a cooperative group of investors and strong, visionary leadership;
• Some object to the clustering of ASD people in one site, though a mix of ASD and standard units is also possible;
• If Section 8 or other subsidies are unavailable, may be unaffordable to ASD adults.
  

Pictured: The Peralta Apartments in Fremont provide an example of an investment-based intentional community. Privately owned by an LLC composed of parents, there are ten units with four bedrooms each. The complex is adjacent to the FCSN center, which provides ongoing programming and recreation. See fcsn1996.org.

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