The Facts
Housing is a crucial and urgent issue for people with developmental disabilities in North Carolina and around the world.
Housing
We aim to create or facilitate affordable housing opportunities and to provide education and training to support the transition to supported independent living.
Supported independent Living opportunities for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) are limited because of issues such as the cost of construction, monthly rent, and the availability of support services. The Serving Cup is committed to continuing to explore ways and approaches to meet the demand of this population.
In 2010, The Serving Cup played a key role in the construction of Green Level Apartments, six two-bedroom apartments for adults with I/DD in Wake County, NC. This project was the product of a HUD 811 grant, and part of a partnership with three local organizations.
In 2016, construction was completed on a second supported living residence, under the guidance of The Serving Cup. The vision of the Building Independence project: to bring people together to build and maintain safe, affordable housing for low-income adults with I/DD. Through partnership with the residents, their families, funders, and community volunteers, nine residents moved into new apartments in 2016.
Both initiatives focus on the concept of giving high-functioning individuals with I/DD the opportunity to live independently to the maximum extent possible.
The Need
Thousands of adults with I/DD are able to work and live independently. For these individuals, a supportive living environment offers the right combination of structure and support they need to successfully live in the community.
One of The Serving Cup’s key partners, Lutheran Services Carolinas manages two such apartment-style supportive living complexes in the Triangle Area of North Carolina.
Lutheran Services Carolinas is part of Lutheran Services of America, an organization which represents more than 300 health and human services organizations that reach 6 million people annually, touching the lives of 1 in 50 people in the U.S. each year.
130,000+
People with developmental disabilities in NC.
14,053
Estimated persons in Wake County who are developmentally disabled. There is an estimated gap in units for this population of approximately 13,727 units of housing with supportive services needed in Wake County.
20,000
Estimated persons with developmental disabilities are living with an aging caregiver. As the caregivers become unable to care for their adult children, alternate living arrangements must be made.
82%
People with developmental disabilities are residing in nursing homes (where they don’t belong).
2,500
People in North Carolina live with developmental disabilities in homes with more than 16 residents. North Carolina serves a greater proportion of people with developmental disabilities in large state-operated institutions than other state.
Our Residences
There are several housing options for people with developmental disabilities in North Carolina: intermediate care facilities, group homes, boarding homes, assisted family living, and apartments where you live on your own or with a roommate, with minimal support from the State. This situation means that thousands of the poorest people with developmental disabilities are forced to live in housing that is not well suited to their needs.
Housing is a crucial and urgent issue for people with developmental disabilities in North Carolina, and around the world.
Green Level Apartments
In 2010, The Serving Cup opened Green Level Apartments in Cary, NC. They consist of six, two-person apartments with each resident having their own bedroom and bathroom, and a shared laundry and living room area. Each apartment has a full kitchen and residents are responsible for preparing their meals and maintaining their apartments. The residents pay an affordable monthly fee for housing and services.
Building Independence
The Building Independence project is in Raleigh NC. It is a three house, single story residential facility with three residents in each home. Each home has a shared living room, kitchen and laundry. Each resident has his or her own bedroom and bathroom. The residents are responsible for preparing their meals and maintaining their rooms and shared spaces, and for paying an affordable monthly fee for housing and services.