HOUSTON – (By Dale King, Realty News Report) – Vita Living, a Houston nonprofit that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has launched a $1.4 million campaign to build two new residential facilities: a single house for six residents and a duplex to accommodate up to six more.
Funds raised through the Vita Living Housing Initiative will be used to construct both buildings on property the organization already owns in the Spring Branch neighborhood.
Vita Living is a human services agency that provides critical supports enabling people with disabilities to live more independently. The organization’s board chair, Chris Mehling—principal at Architectural Floors—will serve as campaign chair.
“The Vita Living Housing Initiative: Serve More, Better supports our goal of being the premier service provider for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Houston,” Mehling said. “Working with the innovative team at Tramonte Design Studio, the new residential housing will better address the disabilities and medical needs of our aging residents.”
The project will place a landscaped communal area between the house and the duplex to encourage interaction among residents. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2020, with an anticipated completion date in December 2020 and resident move-ins early in 2021.
Tramonte Design Studio, based in Houston, designed both homes with Vita Living’s mission in mind, focusing on community, accessibility, and quality of life for residents.
The house and duplex measure approximately 2,400 square feet and 2,850 square feet respectively. Both will feature open, accessible floor plans, bright color palettes and a shared green space to promote a sense of neighborhood and belonging.
“As people with disabilities live longer, healthier lives, demand for appropriate residential housing increases,” said Joseph Cooper, Vita Living CEO. “The Vita Living Housing Initiative: Serve More, Better directly responds to the need for community-based housing and the growing medical requirements of this aging population.”
“Without services like ours, many of our residents would risk homelessness, incarceration or institutionalization,” Cooper added. “These two new homes will expand our capacity and help us continue serving an underserved community.”
Key design features for the six-resident house and the duplex include:
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Full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and City of Houston commercial codes;
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Unobstructed sight lines between common areas so staff can efficiently monitor multiple residents;
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Generous common living areas and kitchens designed as welcoming gathering spaces;
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5′ x 5′ roll-in showers with recessed concrete slabs to accommodate residents comfortably while facilitating caregiver assistance;
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A landscaped communal area between the two buildings to foster a shared sense of community for the 12 residents.
Founded in 1983, Vita Living provides services and supports for adults with significant disabilities, promoting personal growth and meaningful community life. In addition to residential services, the organization runs a day program and offers case management.
Vita Living currently owns and operates 18 group homes serving 74 adults in the Spring Branch and Sharpstown neighborhoods of Houston. Altogether, the organization serves more than 400 children and adults through residential services, day programs, and case management, and reaches seven Texas counties through the CLASS (Community Living Assistance and Support Services) program.
Dec. 14, 2019 Realty News Report Copyright 2019
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