Integrated Housing

Deadline:

Currently not accepting applications.

Integrated Housing for Oregonians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

The Fairview Trust Fund supports projects that focus on improving housing for people with an intellectual or developmental disability in Oregon. Our goal is to create 250 new units of integrated, affordable housing for people with I/DD by 2030. At least 25% of the units will be in rural or other underserved areas.

We are thrilled to announce an additional allocation of $6 million to our overall funding pool, thanks to the state's support. This includes over $4.5 million dedicated specifically to integrated housing projects for individuals with IDD. Importantly, this funding must be fully utilized by May 31st, 2025. The additional investment presents a transformative opportunity to broaden housing access across Oregon for those with IDD. To ensure the timely and effective use of these funds, our 2024 grant cycle is adapted to offer enhanced flexibility. This will enable us to support a diverse array of housing projects, including those at earlier developmental stages, aligning with our commitment to creating inclusive and accessible living spaces.

Funding Priorities

The Fairview Trust is dedicated to supporting a broad spectrum of projects that align with our core mission of enhancing housing opportunities for individuals with IDD. Our focus is on projects that foster community integration, support independent living, offer affordable housing solutions, and improve overall quality of life through enhanced accessibility and the implementation of Universal Design principles. Below, we outline our understanding of these key terms:

Community Integration: Our mission emphasizes the cultivation of inclusive communities for residents with IDD. In apartment complexes, this typically involves ensuring 8% to 20% of units are preferentially designed for individuals with IDD, with accessible units and common areas distributed throughout to foster social interaction and prevent isolation. In neighborhood settings, we aim to integrate homes into the community fabric, encouraging interaction and active community participation.

Independent Living: We support projects that enable residents with IDD to live as independently as possible, with or without support services. Designs should empower individuals to manage their daily lives and enhance  personal autonomy. Applicants should also have a relationship with, or have a plan to develop a relationship with a local service provider for people with IDD. A comprehensive list of service providers who support individuals living with IDD can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/idd/Pages/cddp.aspx

Affordability: We define affordable housing as affordable for households earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). However, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications serving individuals at or below 50% and if possible 30% of AMI, or a combination thereof.

Accessibility Enhancements: We encourage using funds to increase the number of fully accessible units in housing developments. This means adapting existing units to surpass the standards set by Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) or other public funding requirements.

Universal Design Implementation: The Fairview Trust is committed to advancing projects that embody the principles of Universal Design (UD), creating environments that are accessible, usable, and beneficial to all individuals, regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability. Projects should go beyond the baseline requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal/state design standards. Key UD principles include Equitable Use, Flexibility in Use, Simple and Intuitive Use, Perceptible Information, Tolerance for Error, Low Physical Effort, and Size and Space for Approach and Use. Applications are encouraged to consult this toolkit for a comprehensive understanding of these principles and how to apply them.

NOTE: Currently Fairview Trust is not accepting applications for the Integrated Housing Grant.

Application Scope

The Fairview Trust invites applications from non-profit entities for our upcoming grant cycle, with the intention to fund a range of housing projects that enhance the lives of individuals with IDD. We are offering grants from $250,000 to $1 million, focusing on initiatives that align with our core objectives of community integration, independent living, affordability, accessibility, and Universal Design. Given the tight timeline, we are open to a range of project structures, scope, and stages of development aligned with the priorities noted above:

  • Shovel-Ready Projects: As in previous years, we are seeking to fund shovel-ready projects, with a focus on capital expenditures for new housing developments or substantial renovations of existing units. Typically, this refers to projects that are substantially funded, with at least 80% of funds committed, reserved, or identified in the application plan. Financing in underwriting can be considered as 'reserved'.
    Projects must establish a preference for serving individuals with IDD, particularly those receiving developmental disability (DD) services. We continue to prioritize developments that already incorporate some measure of Universal Design, but the Trust will remain open in this funding cycle to less advanced projects willing to make ambitious commitments aligned with our mission and objectives.

  • Early-Stage Development Support: Recognizing the need to build capacity for agencies interested in housing but requiring assistance to plan and initiate projects, we are offering support for early-stage development. This includes helping agencies identify developer partners, conduct feasibility studies, and other preparatory activities that lay the groundwork for successful housing projects for individuals with IDD.

  • Debt Buy-Down for Ongoing Projects: For projects in their planning or construction phases, we offer to buy down debt in exchange for commitments to implement the priorities described above. This includes creating a certain percentage of units that are fully accessible and integrated, in line with our focus on community integration, Universal Design, and affordability, and which have enhanced affordability – over and above what was originally planned. For example, this might include reducing 80% AMI units to 50% or 30% AMI.

  • Transitional Housing Agency Support: Transitional housing agencies often struggle to provide accessible options to people with IDD who may need temporary support while moving from hospitalization or other institutional settings to a more permanent living arrangement. We aim to assist transitional housing agencies in making their facilities more accessible to individuals with IDD.

  • Open Call for Innovative Ideas: Beyond these categories, we invite proposals for innovative housing projects that align with our funding priorities and mission.

Additional Requirements

Nonprofit Applicants: Applications must be submitted by nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits can collaborate with for-profit owners/developers.

Avoid Group Homes and Clustering: The Fund will not support group living situations or apartment projects that intentionally cluster individuals with IDD. Similar unit types (like 1 or 2 bedrooms) may be grouped due to design constraints, and as a result individuals who experience IDD may live adjacent to or near one another as a result of availability of units of an appropriate or desired size. This is not “clustering” per se. Rather “clustering” occurs when individuals experiencing IDD are intentionally separated from others.

Application Process

Complete applications will be reviewed by the Fairview Trust Advisory Board and will include both qualitative and quantitative analysis. A scoring reference is included as a part of the application packet. Recommendations for funding will be made by the Fairview Trust Advisory Board. The Oregon Community Foundation’s Board has final decision-making authority.

NOTE: Currently Fairview Trust is not accepting applications for the Integrated Housing Grant.

Application

Please fill out the application form questions below and attach the required documents before submitting. 

Required Attachments

The following must be attached to your application.

  • Project budget showing how our funds would be allocated. (Please use the budget spreadsheet.)

  • List of current board members, and bios

  • Most recent audited financial statements

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exemption letter from the IRS

How the Applications will be Evaluated

The scoring rubric is available for download here.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please send an email to: fairview@droregon.org.