The Corporation for Independent Living – Developing Housing Opportunities for People with Disabilities in Connecticut & Massachusetts for More than 40 Years

People and families thrive best when they have a place to call home and are fully included in the community. In this episode, Chris Canna dives deep into the challenges faced when providing accessible, safe housing for people with disabilities such as staffing needs and the cost of housing. He touches on CIL's work in Massachusetts & Connecticut and discusses how this is leading the way in providing accessible housing for people with disabilities, and their families and the importance of funding services. Let's dig into it!

Chris Canna is the Vice President of Real Estate Development - an integral part of the team responsible for sourcing relevant projects for development and managing the department. He hunts for suitable projects and subsequently oversees development from start to finish. A member of several professional organizations dedicated to urban planning, Chris networks with his contemporaries around the country and applies his connections and expertise in his daily work at CIL.

Key Highlights:

[00:01 - 06:06] Opening Segment

• Chris introduces the Corporation for Independent Living

• How to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

[06:07 - 12:03] A Look at Inclusive Housing and Technology

• Why housing is a major problem in the metro Boston area

• The importance of focusing on the community resident model

• How State laws protect against nimbyism in Connecticut and Massachusetts

[12:04 - 17:58] The Corporation for Independent Living 

• Pursuing a national approach to housing development

• Variation from state to state in terms of land, use controls, and Medicaid administration

• How to leverage accessible housing with provider organizations and state officials

[17:59 - 27:00] Closing Segment

• Why Massachusetts is a role model for providing accessible housing

• The challenges faced by the industry

• How remote support services are being used to mitigate staffing problems

Want to connect with Chris? Head to CIL, the connection of community!

Resources Mentioned:

Community Matters: CIL Celebrates 40 Years

Key Quotes:

"Housing is such a huge part of living a fulfilling, healthy, and happy life." - Chris Canna

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