More than 35,000 people live in over 500 adult homes throughout the state.  The state of New York spends over $80 million annually through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and hundreds of millions more in Medicaid for medical and mental health services for low income individuals living in adult homes.  Originally designed for the elderly, almost 30% of the people living in adult homes have diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.  Many people with these disabilities came to live in adult homes after being discharged from state or community hospitals because there were no other housing options available. 

Thirty years ago, adult homes were one of the few housing options available to individuals with psychiatric disabilities and limited resources.  Now there is a wider array of housing options that are, unlike adult homes, designed and regulated with the needs of individuals with psychiatric disabilities in mind.  These community mental health housing options are more cost-effective than adult homes because they are designed to promote skill development, independence, and recovery. 

People with psychiatric disabilities living in adult homes have lived without a voice in policy making or choice of housing for the better part of their lives.  SCAA works to insure that adult home residents are not ignored.  Toward that end, SCAA and the New York Association for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) co-coordinate the New York State Coalition for Adult Home Reform (NYSCAHR), whose mission is to fundamentally change the living conditions, care and treatment for people with psychiatric disabilities who live in adult homes. NYSCAHR members include social services, disability and legal advocacy groups, and residents of adult homes.  SCAA also helps coordinate the Adult Home Resident Speak Out for Dignity, Respect and Choice, an annual advocacy event held in Albany.

Adult Home Resources:

New York State Coalition for Adult Home Reform 2008 Budget Agenda download budget agenda

Adult Home Reform Report Card. A NYSCAHR report card that grades the progress of the Adult Facilities Work Group five years later. February 2008 download report card

A Review of Assisted Living Programs in "Impacted" Adult Homes. New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons With Disabilities. June 2007. go to pdf report

Action Plan for Dignity, Respect, Choice and Recovery for People Living in Adult Homes. February 2007. download action plan

Transforming Housing for People With Psychiatric Disabilities Report. HHS Pub. No. 4173. Rockville MD: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2006. download report

The West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, Inc. created a powerpoint presentation Supportive Congregate Housing, Putting the Pieces Together: Housing Persons with Special Needs in New York State. Two exhibits accompany the presentation: Exhibit A: Narrative Description of Supportive Congregate Housing and Exhibit B: Description of Operating Costs and Funding Sources

The Cause of Dignified Living: The Psychiatrically Disabled in Adult Homes
(February 2003)

There's No Place Like Home: Recommendations for Improving the Quality of Life in Adult Homes Serving People With Mental Illness (June 2000)

Advocates ‘speak out’ on adult home reform

LegislativeGazette.com (February 11, 2008) By SAMANTHA PAWLAK, Legislative Gazette Staff Writer - Members of the Coalition of the Institutionalized Aged and Disabled along with mental health advocates gathered in the Well of the Legislative Office Building last Wednesday for an Adult Home Resident “Speak Out!” rally. After the rally, coalition members met with legislators and other state officials to lobby for better conditions and health services within adult homes and for increased access to alternative independent facilities. -see story

2008 Adult Home Residents Speak Out in Albany

At the Feb. 6, 2008 Adult Home Residents Speak Out, an annual advocacy event held in Albany, the New York State Coalition for Adult Home Reform released its 2008 Budget Agenda and Adult Home Reform Report Card (grading the progress of the Adult Care Facilities Work Group five years later).

Mental Hygiene Testimony

Testimony for the Joint Fiscal Committees on the SFY 2008-09 Executive Budget Mental Hygiene Hearing.  January 29, 2008.  Presented by Karen Schimke, President and CEO, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. View

Spitzer signs anti-SHU bill

LegislativeGazette.com (February 4, 2008) By Samantha Pawlak, Legislative Gazette Staff Writer - Gov. Eliot Spitzer last Tuesday announced the signing of legislation to improve care and treatment for mentally ill inmates in state correctional facilities by placing them in residential mental health treatment units rather than in special housing units known as SHUs. -see story

Coalition advocates for adult home residents

LegislativeGazette.com (June 11, 2007) By DAN SABBATINO, Legislative Gazette Staff Writer - With the hottest days of the summer rapidly approaching, the Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled, voiced concerns last Thursday over expensive and inaccessible air conditioning for adult home residents.
-see story

ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO ANNOUNCES ARREST OF UNLICENSED ADULT HOME OWNER FOR STEALING FROM RESIDENT,

Albany, NY, June 11, 2007 - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the proprietor of an unlicensed Brooklyn adult home was arrested for stealing nearly $1,000 from a dependent resident by using his ATM card and PIN information.
- download press release

See the Sept. 26, 2006 New York Times story on Alberta's Place here.

Memo in Support, June 2007

Go here to see NYSCAHR memos of support on improved oversight of adult homes and community housing waiting lists.