Pioneering Neuro-Inclusive Communities

Rochester Housing Solutions (RHS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2021 by member families of Solutions for Adult Interdependent Living (SAIL) residing in the Rochester / Rochester Hills area in Oakland County, Michigan. These families came together to tackle a critical challenge: the lack of long-term housing options for their adult children with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

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​The Need for Housing Solutions

For most individuals with IDD, the dream of living independently, in a community of their choice, is a powerful aspiration. However, the reality is stark — many remain at home well into their parents’ retirement years or have no choice but to move into a group home or other setting that may separate them from their family, friends, jobs, and the community resources they know and rely on.

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This challenge is poised to intensify: over 70% of individuals with IDD in the U.S. are under 25, signaling a looming surge in demand for affordable, disability-friendly housing. Without creative public-private solutions, the existing housing crisis risks becoming a catastrophe for countless families.​

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A Vision for Inclusion  

RHS explored various housing models, from apartment living to homeownership, and elected to partner with developer Bill Godfrey and his team at Three Oaks Communities (TOC). TOC’s groundbreaking neuro-inclusive neighborhood in Saline, Michigan, served as a blueprint for RHS's efforts, representing one of the first such communities in Michigan — and possibly the nation. 

 

A neuro-inclusive neighborhood offers homes for sale to buyers with IDD and to the general public (neuro-typical buyers).  In this model, the IDD residents determine where and who they want to live with, enjoy the dignity and permanence of home ownership, and benefit from community integration and enhanced services designed and supported by a local non-profit like RHS.

 

RHS's vision quickly gained traction. By early 2022, over 20 families had joined the planning efforts, and membership has since grown to more than 45 families. Funding for RHS projects includes investments and financing from individual and institutional investors, the Oakland County Housing Trust Fund, and First State Bank.​

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RHS Neighborhoods​

​   Walton Oaks

• Location: Walton Blvd north of Oakland University.  

• Design: 11 single-family homes, with three designated for individuals with IDD.  

• Reservations: All IDD units are reserved.  

• Development: Construction began in September 2024, with IDD residents expected to move into their forever homes starting in early 2026.​

   Auburn Oaks  

• Location: Auburn Road west of Crooks Rd.  

• Design: A combination of five townhomes, 40 condominiums, and nine single-family homes. Sixteen condos and two single-family homes are designated for IDD residents.  

• Reservations: 86% of IDD units are reserved for purchase, with co-ownership and rental opportunities available.  

• Development: Groundbreaking is planned for Spring 2025, with IDD residents expected to take possession of their units by late 2026.​

 

Building Integrated Communities

Across Walton Oaks and Auburn Oaks, RHS and TOC are building 60 homes, with approximately one-third designated for residents with IDD. These neighborhoods are designed to foster diverse, inclusive communities where neighbors celebrate and embrace the unique abilities of all residents.

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RHS is more than housing. It’s about creating vibrant, supportive environments where everyone — regardless of ability  — has the opportunity to thrive.  

                                                                                    January, 2025