(Nehalem, OR) – Sammy’s Place is pleased to announce that the Kuni Foundation has contributed to the ever-growing funds it will take to produce affordable accessible housing at Thompson Springs in Nehalem, Oregon. This $850,000 award is specifically targeted toward making homeownership a reality for very low and extremely low-income households and individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). Sammy’s Place thanks the Kuni Foundation for their commitment to advancing accessibility for all, especially those with I/DD, and for seeing the value of homeownership opportunities for this often-overlooked community.
“Sammy’s Place is so pleased to be partnering with the Kuni Foundation on the Thompson Springs affordable accessible housing project,” expresses Kathy Jean Hrywnak, founder of Sammy’s Place. “It is so exciting to have a partner like the Kuni Foundation founded on beliefs that a wide range of inclusive, person-focused opportunities matter. The Kuni Foundation founder’s — Wayne and Joan Kuni — approach and determination continue to profoundly impact the intellectually disabled community, inspiring continuous positive change.
“The Pacific Northwest continues to advance new, innovative housing solutions for people with intellectual disabilities,” said Angela Hult, Kuni Foundation. “We’re excited about this groundbreaking project and honored to help support Sammy’s Place in their tireless efforts to advance accessible, affordable housing for people with intellectual disabilities.”
The Sammy’s Place Thompson Springs project is an affordable accessible homeownership community that is being built using the principles of universal design and accessibility. The National Association of Home Builders defines Universal Design in housing as “the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Features of universal design in housing include but are not limited to, no-step entry, one-story living, wide doorways and hallways, open floor plans, ramps, varied counter heights, soft-closing drawers and cabinets, automated lighting, and the use of technology as an activity support. Universal Design is not an accommodation, but rather, a better way of thinking about design that makes spaces, including homes, more accessible to everyone, and more sustainable over a longer period as homeowners age into disability.
“Sammy’s Place is pleased to be partnering with Jones Architecture as the lead architect, and OwenGabbert, LLC as the chief developer, for Thompson Springs,” adds Kathy Jean. “They really understand Universal Design and affordable housing and have been incredible partners in helping guide Thompson Springs from concept to reality. And now, with the support of the Kuni Foundation, more of the units at Thompson Springs will be affordable to very low and extremely low-income households and individuals with IDD!”
Very low income is defined as households living at or below 50% of the Area Median Income and extremely low income is defined as households living at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. Making homeownership available and affordable for people with I/DD with very low or extremely low income is important because too often these individuals are caught in a poverty cycle. They receive a meager Social Security Income benefit for less than $1,000 a month, but if they are able to attain work, which is exceedingly difficult in communities that are not yet employment ready, like the Oregon Coast– and earn more than that, their benefits are cut off. However, for people with I/DD who have the desire and proper support, homeownership should be available to them as a choice just as it is to anyone else. With the support of the Kuni Foundation, that choice will be available to more people with I/DD living on the Oregon Coast.
To learn more, to get involved with Sammy’s Place and their Thompson Springs project, sign up for our newsletter on our website at www.sammysplace.info. Like us on Facebook @SammysPlaceCommunity, and follow us on Instagram @sammys.place.or.
To learn more about the Kuni Foundation, please visit www.kunifoundation.org
