About this work
As Autistic youth transition to adulthood, many people and families identify housing and independent living as important priorities. In its earliest years, Sinneave began exploring ways to expand housing options and support greater independence for Autistic adults.
Sinneave connected Autistic adults and families so they could share experiences, identify priorities, and learn from each other. These conversations built knowledge, strengthened family and community connections, and created partnerships that expanded neuroinclusive housing opportunities.
What did the work involve?
Over time, this work focused on four key areas:
- Learning from Autistic adults and families about housing and independent living priorities.
- Building relationships with affordable housing providers and community service organizations.
- Exploring flexible services and supports that reflect individual needs and preferences.
- Applying lessons learned to future housing and independent living initiatives.
In 2016, Sinneave collaborated with affordable housing providers and community service providers in Calgary to connect Autistic adults with housing opportunities.
Sinneave brought partners together to create practical, community-based solutions, within Calgary’s existing housing and support systems. Through this collaboration, more than 70 Autistic adults found homes of their own.
Partners shared knowledge, learned from one another, and gained a deeper understanding of the housing experiences of Autistic adults. Each partner contributed their expertise to develop practical solutions.
Watch the Legacy on 5th video to see one example of how this work came together.
What did we learn?
At the time, most discussions about autism and housing focused on group homes or other congregate living settings.
These options did not reflect the wide range of housing needs, preferences, and possibilities for Autistic and neurodivergent adults.
Many Autistic adults lived with parents, family members, or other supporters, and they wanted more housing options. Existing housing measures and waitlists did not always capture their experiences or identify the barriers they faced. As a result, some people were unable to access housing supports and opportunities that matched their needs.
The relationships, experiences, and lessons gained during the early years helped Sinneave and its partners better understand the many factors that influence housing and independent living. That knowledge shaped the work that followed.
The next phase of the work built on these lessons and explored housing through a broader systems perspective.