Roundtable Task Force on Housing for the Disabled

Date: November 29, 2000

During our fourth meeting, the discussion focused on how to develop a survey which would effectively capture data on housing needs of the disabled. It was determined that the housing needs survey should be administered in a four county area: Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Brevard. To determine the target population, efforts will be made by several members of the roundtable to secure preliminary data that could be used to determine the optimal survey sample size. All members will seek out groups, in the four county area, that may be interested in participating in this project. A general organizational meeting will be held, at City Hall, on January 17^th, 2001 at 9:00 a.m.

No minutes to be approved.

Victor Alvardo, U.S. Department of HUD

Victor Alvardo, US Department of HUD

Linda Larkin, City of Orlando

Mary-Stewart Droege, City of Orlando

Bob Melia, Accessible Alternatives

Stacy Starke, Center for Independent Living

John Hazelroth, Housing Consultant

Celveta Lewis, Orange County

Michele Levy, Children and Family Services

Linda Linstrum, US Department of HUD

Nikki Everett, Orange County

Scott Zimmerman, PMI

Lennie Larson, Center for Independent Living

Brenda Johnson, Southport Financial Services

Daphne Cronin, Southport Financial Services

Frantz Dutes, Orange County Department of Community Development

Milli Plass, Commonwealth United Mortgage

Katie Porta, Quest, Inc.

Janice Schnell, Salvation Army

Marilyn Baldwin, City of Orlando

Victor Alvardo , U.S. Department of HUD, opened the session with a brief overview of the last meeting. A survey developed by Brenda Johnson, Southport Financial Services and Daphne Cronin, Southport Financial Services had been disseminated and discussed. It was determined that comprehensive data collection would be essential in developing an accurate and persuasive position paper.

A review of the various elements that would probably be involved in the development of the survey then ensued. It was announced that CDBG (City of Orlando) had offered to finance the development and administration of the housing needs survey. Information from this survey would also be used in the City of Orlando's Consolidated Plan update.

A discussion of currently available data sources then followed. Michele Levy, Children and Family Services, discussed in-house data sources. Ms. Levy, who works with developmentally disabled adults, indicated that her data source includes a needs assessment. She also expressed that she would be willing to share these findings with the group. Michelle Levy additionally stressed that the needs assessment may not necessarily identify the "true" housing needs of the developmentally disabled population, since many individuals may not even consider alternative living situations when answering the needs assessment. Typical problems encountered by this population are: Lack of support personnel and absence of affordable housing.

Other sources of data were also identified. Some of these sources cited were: SSDI and SSDA, ADM, Lynx, and Department of Blind Services. Victor Alvardo stated that he would look into securing SSI data, Michele Levy agreed to gather inhouse data from CFS, Bob Melia indicated that he would contact Lynx concerning ridership numbers, while Stacy Starke would network with Centers for Independent Living in the four county area.

Victor Alvardo additionally raised the issue of an appropriate survey sample size. Methods of collecting the data were also discussed. Victor Alvardo recommended using AmeriCorps to collect data. The group agreed that efforts, too, should be made to contact national groups such as the National Organization on Disability for national/state level statistics.

Survey design was also addressed. Mary-Stewart Droege recommended that Dieter Carlton from the Local Health Council may be able to help. Timeline for the administration of the survey was briefly discussed. Mary Droege recommended that results should be presented at the annual HAOC conference. While location and time of this conference have not yet been confirmed, it is probable that the conference will be held in Orlando during late spring/early summer.

The group also discussed the importance of making data available to all agencies. A number of members also stressed the importance of securing the support of as many agencies, particularly government agencies, as possible to ensure that the survey is truly representative of the diverse disabled population and is, accordingly, a credible collection of data. At present, the group felt that at least two groups from each county should participate in the survey.

This concludes the end of the meeting minutes. The next task force meeting, which will a general organizational meeting, will be held at City Hall, on January 17^th, 2001 at 9:00 a.m.