Selectmen Approve Dennis Housing Project for Adults with Autism

TOWN MEETING VOTESDENNIS – A housing project meant to provide a safe place for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities is one step closer to completion.

Dennis Selectmen recently approved a 99-year lease of 4.9 acres of land on Hokum Rock Road to Friends Or Relatives With Autism and Related Disorders, which is known by the acronym FORWARD.

The nonprofit is planning a two-phase, $1.5 million project to construct two duplex homes to house eight adults.

John Ohman and his wife, Kathy Ohman, have two sons diagnosed with autism and started the nonprofit to provide a safe alternative for adults they say could end up in “difficult situations” once they age-out of special education programs.

John Ohman said these suddenly-displaced adults often have no understanding of what is happening to them.

“We’re treating them with dignity, to live in their own community with people like them in a nice community setting,” John Ohman said.

The duplexes will also feature a “community-base” space, for inhabitants to hold dinners and other public functions.

In addition, each duplex will have a staff member to provide support for the residents. Those expenses are slated to be covered by payments from social service agencies.

“We envision developing a vital community that will have people busy with activities like everyone else has,” Kathy Ohman said.

The nonprofit is applying for Community Preservation Act funding to raise the $1.5 million, with support from Housing Assistance Corporation.

Speak Your Mind

*



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy