Free resources for WA families caring for a loved one with IDD

Washington Families Caring for a Loved One with IDD Can Access Free Residential Assessments From Partners4Housing

Partners4Housing empowers Washington families to access all the benefits to which they are entitled, and create housing solutions for their family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They recently received a grant from the Dan Thompson Memorial Fund that allows them to provide FREE Residential Assessments to over 6,000 Washington families.

Washington State-based Partners4Housing has been awarded a grant from the Developmental Disabilities Council’s Dan Thompson Memorial Fund to provide free Residential Assessments to Washington families. The Residential Assessments will help thousands of families begin planning the future for their Loved One with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

There are more than 48,000 adults in WA state with IDD, and 70% live with family caregivers. The grant will make it possible for 6,688 of these families to access Partners4Housing’s Residential Assessment (RA) at no cost. The RA, which normally costs families $500, is an easy-to-follow online questionnaire, and includes a follow up consultation that guides families in understanding all the benefits their Loved One qualifies for. It helps families make a plan and explore housing possibilities. Eligible families will also have free access to Partners4Housing’s Roommate Matching Pool, which can connect families of individuals with IDD to other families and potential roommate opportunities.

“Families need long-term, sustainable housing solutions for their loved ones with IDD, especially as parents and caregivers age. This grant project will help us reach many more of these families and help them plan for the future,” says Pam Blanton, CEO and Founder of Partners4Housing.
Partners4Housing will distribute many of these free RAs through Washington non-profit organizations including PEACE NW, Arc of Whatcom County, Arc of Snohomish County, Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities, Arc of King County and Arc of Washington.

Families or caregivers can access their free Residential Assessment here: https://signup.partners4housing.com/promo/.

Partners4Housing has a long and successful history of empowering Washington families to create housing solutions that meet the unique needs of their family member with IDD. The organization was created in 2010 after founder and CEO Pam Blanton realized there had to be a better way for families of individuals with IDD to find roommates and set up shared housing solutions.

Since 2014, they’ve helped families in Washington set up 50 shared living homes that serve 115 people with IDD. They have also helped more than 600 families access benefits for their Loved Ones through the Residential Assessment.

Many families who have worked with Partners4Housing are surprised at the resources available to help create an independent housing solution. The online questionnaire and consultation helped them make sense of a challenging situation. Says Natalie H. (full name withheld), “My first impression of the Residential Assessment was its absolute thoroughness. It covers so many aspects of my daughter’s life. It was inspiring; it gave us courage; it gave us hope. It gave us energy to take the necessary steps to move through the process.”

Says CEO Blanton, “We are so excited to launch this project, which will allow us to make a significantly larger impact in Washington State, and we know we will help so many families, both now and in the future.”