What is neuroinclusivity in housing?
Neuroinclusivity in housing recognizes that people think, communicate, process information, experience their surroundings, and live in different ways.
It means creating more opportunities for people to find, access, and maintain housing that aligns with their needs and supports how they want to live.
Neuroinclusive housing extends beyond the design of a home. It also includes the information, policies, services, supports, and communities that shape people’s experiences of finding, accessing, and living in housing.
Neuroinclusive housing can include:
- Housing options that support different needs and preferences.
- Accessible and easy-to-understand housing information.
- Flexible policies and processes.
- Services and supports that enable choice and independence.
- Communities where people feel welcome, included, and connected.
New to neuroinclusivity in housing?
This 4-minute video introduces key concepts and explains why neuroinclusivity matters in housing and independent living in Canada.
Foundational Neuroinclusivity in Housing Concepts video
This video was created in November 2024 as part of the Neuroinclusivity in Housing Initiative in collaboration with the Carleton University Accessibility Institute.
There is no single way to be neuroinclusive
Neuroinclusivity is not a checklist or a single set of practices.
What works well in one situation may not work in another. Needs, preferences, goals, and environments vary from person to person.
Creating more neuroinclusive communities is an ongoing practice. It can involve many actions, including:
- Designing homes with flexibility in mind.
- Making information easier to find and understand.
- Adapting policies and processes.
- Providing services and supports that meet diverse needs.
- Creating communities where people feel welcome and included.
Everyone can contribute.
We can all help create more inclusive housing and communities.
You do not need to work in housing to make a difference. We are all connected to housing in some way, whether we build, manage, support, live in, or simply share communities with others.
Small changes and larger system-level efforts can all improve people’s experiences of housing and community life.
Explore the Resources section for ideas, information, and tools to help you take action.