Inclusion Connects: Community Living Guide
Inclusion Connects: Community Living Guide
Find Housing, Funding, and Support ResourcesThe Transition and Housing Pillar of Inclusion Connects is actively working to increase access to a full range of community housing options for individuals with I/DD. This guide provides webpage links and contact information for a variety of resources, including those for Housing, Funding, and Supports.
Use the “Find Housing” drop-down menu to look for shelter and housing near you. You can find immediate shelter and housing resources, contacts for housing information, search for housing near you, and explore a wide range of community-based living options across North Carolina.
Use the “Find Funding” drop-down menu to look for funding and financial assistance. You can learn more about getting help to pay for supportive and independent living options, voucher programs, and receiving financial aid for rent, utilities, and other home costs.
Use the “Find Supports” drop-down menu to explore resources for successful and healthy community living. You can find resources related to accessibility modifications, assistive technologies, and supports related to food and nutrition, transportation, social supports, caregiver support, and others.
Using this Guide
- Click on the drop-down menu to explore resources for the category you are interested in.
- Read through available resources and click on the links to learn more.
- For additional information specific to your region, reach out to your Local Management Entity / Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO) today. Or visit the below links:
Tab/Accordion Items
Need Immediate Shelter
- For emergency housing in your county:
Find Housing Contacts
- For federal housing resources, including rental and legal assistance, local public housing, and rent relief services, visit HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- For North Carolina housing information:
- Visit DHIC to explore affordable apartment communities and homeownership supports.
- Visit Housing for People with Disabilities - NC 211 to learn about housing-related nonprofit organizations and government programs.
- Visit NC DHSR: Licensed Facilities (ncdhhs.gov) to view Department of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) Licensed Facilities across the state.
Search for Available Housing
- Search for available housing in NC on the North Carolina Housing Search Tool and affordable housing across NC on Low Income Apartments and Affordable Housing For Rent in North Carolina.
- If you are looking for Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured or Multifamily Assisted Properties, search for available units on Multifamily Housing Property Search Page | HUD.gov.
Learn More about these Community Models in North Carolina*
*Not state-endorsed
- Housing initiatives and communities specific to individuals with I/DD - in operation:
- In the Triangle area, Hope NC works to create inclusive, affordable housing.
- In Whitsett, Peacehaven Farms provides a supportive home and resource network, emphasizing inclusive learning, living, and employment.
- My Forever Home partners with housing developers to assist individuals with I/DD transitioning into independent living housing.
- In Chapel Hill, The G House provides a supportive living space for young adults with I/DD.
- The Arc offers housing and property management services for people with I/DD across North Carolina.
- Housing initiatives and communities specific to individuals with I/DD - in development:
- In Durham, Midtown Housing Coalition is planning a “tiny home” community to foster independence and L’Arche is renovating Sailing Home to serve as a supportive home for individuals with and without I/DD.
- In Charlotte, Indie Tree looks to build 50 apartments with tailored accommodations and community spaces and Amongst Friends has created dorm-style units for young adults to mimic the college experience.
- In Wilkes County, WeBUILT is designing a long-term housing community.
- Additional affordable housing option in North Carolina:
- Grosvenor Gardens in Raleigh offers accessible long-term housing units.
- NCDHHS Targeting Program works to provide affordable, permanent housing in partnership with NC Housing Finance Agency.
- In the Triangle area, Hope NC works to create inclusive, affordable housing.
Learn More about Housing Resources
- Find definitions for key words and phrases related to housing here: North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness Glossary of Terms and North Carolina Housing Coalition County Profiles
Find Homeownership Resources
- Explore homeownership resources in North Carolina and how to buy a home in the state.
- To find a Housing Counselor, click here.
- For homeownership programs and support for individuals with I/DD, click here.
- For more homeowner help, find contacts and resources at HUD Homeowner Help.
For County-Specific Housing Resources, contact your LME/MCO today.
Get Help Paying for Supported and Independent Living
- Funding specific to Tailored Plan catchment areas:
- Vaya Health: Permanent Supportive Housing Information | Vaya Health and Housing Initiatives | Vaya Health
- Alliance Health: Independent Living Initiative (ILI) - Alliance Health (alliancehealthplan.org)
- Trillium Health: Choose Independence | Trillium Health Resources and Housing Advocacy | Trillium Health Resources
- Partners Health: Housing-Resources.pdf (partnersbhm.org)
- Vaya Health: Permanent Supportive Housing Information | Vaya Health and Housing Initiatives | Vaya Health
Explore Financial Assistance Options and NC Medicaid Programs
- The Mainstream Voucher Program, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, and the Emergency Housing Voucher Program all provide aid in paying for housing.
- View local Public Housing Authority contact information here.
- Find out more about NC Medicaid’s 1915(i) Services, which provide free Medicaid services to support independence at home or in the community for individuals with I/DD and TBI.
- There are many other community resources available to help pay for housing and related expenses, including:
For Housing Developers
- Utilize Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to provide affordable, accessing housing for individuals with I/DD
- Learn how to become a Section 8 Landlord on HUD’s website or by using this guide.
- Find financial programs that support developers seeking to build affordable homes on NCHFA’s Rental Developers site
- Explore NCHFA’s Supportive Housing Development Program
Find Legal Support and Funding
- For help paying for an attorney or to find legal resources, visit Legal Aid of North Carolina
- Learn about protecting your civil liberties and accessing legal services by visiting Disability Rights North Carolina
Crisis services available 24/7:
- Dial 9-8-8 or use the Hope4NC Helpline: 1-855-587-3463
- Find more information on the 9-8-8 lifeline here.
- Visit Crisis Solutions North Carolina to find help near you.
Hurricane and Natural Disaster Services and Resources
- Visit Weathering the Storm | NCDHHS for Hurricane Helene resources from NCDHHS.
- Contact the Disability and Disaster Hotline at 800-626-4959 or at hotline@disasterstrategies.org. Help is available 24/7.
- Call 211 for shelters, food assistance, welfare checks, and other recovery support.
- For up-to-date emergency information, visit: Ready NC, DisasterAssistance.gov, and County Emergency Management Agencies | NC DPS.
- Find available shelters here and operating pharmacies here.
- For those volunteering or helping in the area in need of support, visit: Get Support | Promise Resource Network and Hope4NC Helpline | NCDHHS.
- You can use this emergency communication tool to help communicate with someone with I/DD.
- For additional Hurricane Helene relief resources, visit: Hurricane Helene | NC DPS.
Find Help for Accessibility Modifications and Technologies
- To increase accessibility in your home and fund modifications, visit North Carolina Housing Finance Agency- Home Repairs and Independent Living and Rehabilitation Program.
- Explore assistive and emergency technologies for those living independently:
- North Carolina Assistive Technology Program
- Personal Emergency Response Systems
- Explore assistive and emergency technologies for those living independently:
Explore Community Supports
- There are many supports available to help you live your healthiest life as you transition into community living!
- Food and nutrition support: Meals on Wheels NC and Food and Nutrition Services
- Transportation support: NCDHHS Transportation
- Social supports: NCCDD Peer Mentoring, Community Bridges I/DD Peer Mentoring, L’Arche NC, and The Arc of NC
- Caregiver support: Family Caregiver Support Program and NC Lifespan Respite Program
- Comprehensive support: Centers for Independent Living, First in Families North Carolina, NCCARE 360, and Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
- Employment support: Inclusion Works/Competitive Integrated Employment and NCWorks Online
- Veteran support: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families
- Medication assistance support: NC DHHS: Medication Assistance Program (MAP) and NC MedAssist – Dispensing Hope
- Find non-profits, state agencies, and organizations supporting individuals with I/DD using North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities’ A-Z Resource List.
- Food and nutrition support: Meals on Wheels NC and Food and Nutrition Services
Other Resources
- NC ABLE
- The NC ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Program allows individuals of all ages with disabilities occurring before age 26 to save and fund various qualified disability expenses (QDEs) while maintaining Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, and other public supports. Visit NCABLE.org for additional information about how NC ABLE provides tax-advantaged savings for eligible individuals, the additional benefits and features of the Program, how to determine if you are eligible for an account, contribution sources and withdrawal requirements, important forms, videos, webinars and more.
- Trillium Play Together Initiative
- The Trillium Play Together Initiative is an effort led by Trillium Health Resources to create inclusive playgrounds across Eastern North Carolina. This initiative demonstrates the fundamental right to play for all individuals by developing playgrounds accessible to children and adults with various abilities. Through grants and community partnerships, Trillium supports the construction of vibrant play spaces designed to remove barriers and foster inclusivity.
These playgrounds are not just about fun but essential tools for community building and social integration. Each site is equipped with state-of-the-art, accessible play equipment that accommodates both physical and developmental needs. Playgrounds have equipment and features to allow individuals of all ages and abilities to play together outside. Features can include:- Rubberized surface for wheelchairs and other assistive devices to travel over more smoothly
- Equipment for those with sensory issues
- Full support swings
- Liberty Swing that can be used with a wheelchair
- Doublewide ramps
Trillium's commitment to enhancing community infrastructure reflects a broader movement towards inclusivity and equality in public spaces. By investing in playgrounds where children of all abilities can play side by side, Trillium Play Together sets a powerful example of how communities can unite to support diversity and inclusion. Their ongoing efforts underscore the importance of accessibility in promoting equality, joy, and community cohesion.
- The Trillium Play Together Initiative is an effort led by Trillium Health Resources to create inclusive playgrounds across Eastern North Carolina. This initiative demonstrates the fundamental right to play for all individuals by developing playgrounds accessible to children and adults with various abilities. Through grants and community partnerships, Trillium supports the construction of vibrant play spaces designed to remove barriers and foster inclusivity.
- The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities is working to create a Supported Living 2 and 3 Guidebook. Find the guidebook draft here. We will update the link when the final version is released.
- North Carolina Healthy Homes offers support and resources related to educating individuals about maintaining a healthy house.
- Learn how to access In-Home Aid Services through NCDHHS, including links to local provider directories.
- Explore Member and Provider information for your Tailored Plan:
- Alliance Health Provider Directory
- Vaya Health Provider Portal, Member Portal, and Local Resources
- Trillium Network Provider Directory
- Partners Member Education
- Visit NCSTART for crisis prevention services and information about NCSTART’s intervention program for individuals with I/DD age six (6) and above with co-occurring complex behavioral and/or mental health needs.
- Reach out to the NC Medicaid Ombudsman for NC Medicaid member education and to get help accessing healthcare, housing, food assistance, and other resources.