Project Summary

NICHE is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide quality affordable housing, in integrated community settings, using concepts of Universal Design. This accessible housing will accomodate a cross-section to include people with disabilities & low-to-moderate income individuals.

About me

I am a parent of and an advocate for a 27 year old with developmental disabilities, and I am actively involved with many different community groups. Niche Inc. is comprised of parents, siblings, and other interested parties, some with disabilities, of various ages and backgrounds. Our family members range in age from 16-60 and have a variety of disabilities, all are low income, and while some do not qualify for assistance programs, most do not have it because of the lack of funding for the program. We are determined to learn how to make the system work for the less advantaged members of our communities. The current model for persons with developmental disabilities is to provide housing and staff together, and this creates some logistical problems if one or the other does not work. We realized that it was time for innovative solutions to the provision of either set of needs. We are consistently drawing new and interested parties to come and share information or learn with us what we have to share. Our community relationships include Volunteer Hampton Roads, a Universal Design consultant, Accessible Housing Corp., and Community Opportunities Inc., as well as the many people we have met and shared information with in our quest for knowledge and understanding. We are an extremely committed group, and we have a positive and open-minded approach to problem solving.