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Step 5: Building a plan that will support change

Step 1: Exploring and understanding housing needs and wants, and creating your housing plan

Step 1
Step 2: Reviewing housing options and locations

Step 2
Step 3: Financing the plan

Step 3
Step 4: Managing housing supports

Step 4
Step 5: Building a plan that will support change

Step 5
Step 6: Learning from others

Step 6
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 Step 5: Building a plan that will support change

Implementing an Individualized Housing Plan will involve creating goals and ensuring that your plan is sustainable over the long-term. 

This section will help you find the information and resources to:

  1. implement your plan using SMART goals
  2. sustain your housing plan

Disclaimer: This online toolkit is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, technical, business or other advice and should not be relied on as such. Please consult a professional if you have any questions related to the topics discussed in this toolkit. Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) and its host agencies do not endorse any commercial product, process or service referenced in this toolkit, or its producer or provider. The DSO also does not make any express or implied warranties, or assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or usefulness of any information contained in this toolkit, including web-links to other servers. All URLs mentioned in this document will link to an external website.

a. Implement your Plan using SMART goals 

It’s important to remember that people, their skills, interests and support needs, are likely to change over time. Setting SMART goals is an important part of implementing a housing plan with flexibility, so that it can change and grow with you. You will want to review both your SMART goals and your My Home evaluation on a regular basis to assess what’s working and what might need to be changed. For example, you may initially decide to live alone and then realize that you would feel more comfortable with a roommate or companion to share your home with. The types of support you require and how you wish to receive these supports may change, etc. It’s important that you remain at the center of your plan, and that those involved in maintaining the plan, never lose sight of this objective.

Sometimes people struggle with setting goals and tracking success. You may wish to consider using the services of a person-centered planner to assist you. Whether using a planner or doing it alone, here are some tips on how to create SMART goals.  

How do we develop goals? 

Most people develop both short-term goals (achievable within one year) and long-term goals (achievable within 5 years). The short-term goals are the smaller steps you take towards long-term goals. Goals should always be written in a very Specific, Measurable, Accountable, Realistic and Timely way (SMART). This ensures objectivity to measure the success. 

How do we track our achievement? 

A team can track their achievements at every meeting by reviewing the goals and their progress. 

Do goals change? 

Yes. Goals can change at any time. If a person’s interests change, their goals will change. It is quite common for goals to change and it is a good thing. This means the person is finding their voice and able to express changes or their team is able to interpret the person’s non-verbal cues in expressing their likes and places. 

What are SMART goals? 

In order for a goal to be objective (quantifiable and measurable), rather than subjective (based on emotions and opinions), a goal must be written using certain guidelines. This ensures a clear interpretation of the goal.  

The SMART acronym provides the guidelines to writing an objective and measurable goal.  

S stands for specific: Simply written and clearly defines where you want to go. 

stands for measurable: Include precise amounts, dates, timeframes, and so on so you can measure your success. 

stands for attainable or achievable: You may need to develop new skills, but with time you believe it is possible. 

stands for relevant: This means it matters to the person and is a part of their Vision

stands for time-bound: Set deadlines for your goals. 

The following checklist is meant to assist you in ensuring that the goal you have created is a SMART goal. You should be able to answer each of the questions below with a YES. If you cannot, you need to work on your goal to transform it into a SMART goal.

  • Does everyone understands my goal?
  • Is it clear how I will track my success?
  • Is my goal realistic?  
  • Is my goal person-centered?  
  • Is achieving this goal in my best interests?  
  • Is my goal achievable within the time frame set out in the plan?  

Disclaimer: This online toolkit is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, technical, business or other advice and should not be relied on as such. Please consult a professional if you have any questions related to the topics discussed in this toolkit. Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) and its host agencies do not endorse any commercial product, process or service referenced in this toolkit, or its producer or provider. The DSO also does not make any express or implied warranties, or assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or usefulness of any information contained in this toolkit, including web-links to other servers. All URLs mentioned in this document will link to an external website.

b. Sustaining your housing plan

Sustainability refers to the ability to keep your Individualized Residential Model and appropriate supports going, long after the initial time, energy and resources have been contributed. For example, if you have decided to purchase a home you will need to ensure the required funds will be available for ongoing maintenance, or if you have decided to rent then you will need to think about what happens if the apartment or location is no longer suitable.

As you assess your housing plan you should consider the following: 

Income – will your housing plan still work if there is a change to income? For example, when an ODSP recipient turns 65 and is eligible for old age pension. Or, if you are employed and your hours are reduced, or employment ceases.

Ability to live independently – what happens if physical needs change so much that modifications to the home are required, or perhaps even a move to another home?

Financial ability to make repairs – how will funds be set aside if the home is owned and major repairs are required? Or, you live in a condominium and receive a special assessment

The following factors contribute to sustainability:

  • availability of human resources (staff and staff coordination),
  • reliable housing,
  • access to funding and cash flow,
  • formalized team, and
  • established processes for evaluating and modifying the housing plan as necessary.

Here are some tips and ideas to support the development of a sustainable housing model:

  • Identify a person or persons who can commit to on-going staff recruitment as necessary (training, scheduling, supervision and retention).
  • Access staffing support through Developmental Services agencies (where available), or a staffing agency. Your local DSO housing navigator may be able suggest resources.
  • Familiarize yourself with the difference between an employee and an independent contractor, as there can be cost benefits associated with hiring workers privately versus through an agency.
  • Collaborate with others who have a housing plan, look for opportunities to share skills (e.g. if one person has strong financial skills and another has people management skills), sharing staffing supports and the task of managing supports can be an option worth exploring.
  • Review live-in models that can provide increased  consistency, as onsite staff provide “natural” back up support and can assist with coordination.
  • Look into creating private  FriendlyNeighbour, Co-housing and/or Host Family models.
  • Consider housing solutions that can provide the ability to share staff teams (e.g. duplex, secondary suites, townhouses and apartment complexes).
  • Plan for changes that are likely to occur with formal supports and natural supports. Availability and capabilities can change, members of the support network or Microboard can step-down, staff can move on to other jobs. It is important to ensure that a succession plan is formalized and reviewed on a regular basis.
  • Consider forming a  Microboard as it  can take on the task of managing staffing supports.

Housing

Here are some important housing tips:

  • When you purchase a property, it’s important to ensure that you put some money away for regular maintenance and upkeep (e.g. repairs, new roof, furnace, etc.).
  • When you rent, it’s always good to put some money aside for contingencies (e.g. costs associated with repairs that are not the responsibility of the landlord to cover, rent increases, tenant insurance, etc.).
  • Families with available cash flow can share the purchase of homes with other families.
  • A family or families can purchase property when their children are younger. They can intentionally rent the home to adults within the sector to support the carrying costs of the home. This “pay forward” model of housing investment supports increased stable housing for the whole community. When plans such as this are put into place early on, there can be opportunity to build equity in a property (e.g. paying down the mortgage with the rent that is collected), which may help reduce costs and strengthen the sustainability of your housing plan in the future.   
  • Estate Planning and housing trusts, including Henson Trusts, are essential to support housing plans. A financial planner and lawyer can assist you with looking at these areas.
  • Hiring a trustee service or estate administration service might be beneficial, when considering long-term access to housing and associated costs.

Partners for Planning includes a directory of professionals (e.g. legal and financial providers) that may be useful and many other helpful resources and webcasts.

Government grants and funding

Access to government grants and funding sources should be maximized over and above the Developmental Services Ontario options. This may include:

Funding programs and opportunities can change, so be sure to check these sites often to see if you can benefit from new initiatives.

Formalized team, entities for personal empowerment 

Over the last several years, many families have incorporated their teams by developing either AROHAs or Microboards. Both of these words describe entities which can provide you support and oversight, while empowering you to live the life you want, with the supports you require from your team.

Here are some of the reasons you might decide to develop an incorporated entity: 

  • provide continued support for the person with decision-making,
  • be the employer of record,
  • administer the individualized funding (if any, including Passport funding), and
  • maintain relationships with the team by formalizing the roles. 

As an incorporated entity, the team will need to:

  • purchase annual insurance,
  • complete an annual audit,
  • submit their annual taxes, and
  • hold an annual general meeting.

Microboards

Microboards Ontario, a non-profit organization, was founded by a group of grassroots community leaders and disability activists in the summer of 2018 to promote the development of self-directed support organizations (also known as Microboards) in the province. For an introduction to Microboards and their purpose within the context of developing creative housing models, check out this video.

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