Stavros
Advocates for Independent Living
Housing Overview
Stavros recognizes that people with disabilities often face prejudice and have limited opportunities when it comes to housing. It is our aim to help protect an individual's right to be free from discrimination in looking for, and living in suitable housing. Achieving equal housing rights is one of the essential first steps necessary for people with disabilities to live in the mainstream of our country.
Stavros holds a workshop to help consumers to find or modify housing, usually once a month, and are held in several different locations throughout Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. The trainings are all on Thursdays.
While Stavros advocates CANNOT find you a place to live, we do have lots of information and resources to share with you to teach you how to most effectively conduct a housing search, what your rights as a tenant are, how housing subsidies work, and where to go for advocacy on housing-related issues. These resources have been divided into three sections:
Home Sweet Home
The Home Sweet Home Program benefits many of the folks in the areas we serve who are in need of wheelchair ramps and durable medical equipment (DME) to safely access their homes and community. In just one year--from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008--Home Sweet Home was able to to complete an amazing 68 ramps at consumer's homes! During the same year, our equipment recycling program placed over 130 pieces of DME with consumers. The ramp program is a coordinated effort of donations of materials, funds, and volunteers to build modular ramp units and then install the ramp at the slated locations. We are looking for retired, disabled or just plain interested builders/contractors to share their expertise (call Lois Brown at extension 240). You can also make donations online.
Fair and Affordable Housing Resources
The Department of Community Housing (DHCD) has prepared a non-exhaustive listing of housing related resources in Massachusetts including fair housing enforcement and advocacy, affirmative fair marketing, affordable housing opportunities, housing education and counseling, and more!
Resources for Fair & Affordable Housing in Massachusetts
The MA Department of Housing and Community Development has prepared a non-exhaustive listing of housing related resources in Massachusetts including fair housing enforcement and advocacy, affirmative fair marketing, affordable housing opportunities, housing education and counseling, and more
Looking for Housing
Looking for Housing has information on how and where to find accessible and affordable housing;
Housing Organizations
We have created a list of Housing Organizations that can help you with your housing search or help you to resolve a housing problem; and
Home Modifications
Homes and apartments often need home modifications in order for a person with a disability to access and fully enjoy it. Typically, areas needing modification are entryways, bathrooms and kitchens. The Stavros Home Sweet Home Program benefits many of the folks in the areas we serve who are in need of wheelchair ramps and durable medical equipment (DME) to safely access their homes and community. We may be able to help find programs to help you design and pay for these modifications.