Additional Resources
If you decided to purchase your own home, are in the process of doing so, or concluded that homeownership isn’t right for you just now, we hope that this manual has been a helpful tool for you. In addition to the information contained within, there are numerous printed materials available on topics related to homeownership, personal futures planning, community participation, financing, home maintenance and repair, home inspections, self-advocacy, budgeting, and mortgage loans.
There are also a number of organizations available that offer technical assistance in the areas of person-controlled housing and assistance. Many of these groups may be able to help with questions by phone and can serve as valuable resources for people considering the purchase of a home. Some groups have produced helpful publications and offer information via the Internet. You may call them with questions or write to them for lists of their publications. The organizations are listed, followed by a list of publications arranged by topic.
Finally, books that relate to buying a home are available at most public libraries. Ask your librarian to help you find them.
Organizations
ABLEDATA
Phone: 800-227-0216
Web site: http://www.abledata.com/index.htm
ABLEDATA is a national database of information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources. ABLEDATA contains information on more than 23,000 assistive technology products, from white canes to voice output programs. The database contains detailed descriptions of each product including price and company information. The database also contains information on non-commercial prototypes, customized, and one-of-a-kind products, as well as do-it-yourself designs.
American Association of University Affiliated Programs
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 410
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-588-8252
The American Association of University Affiliated Programs is the member association of UAP’s nationwide. Contact the association for information on national policy issues and to access the location of the UAP in your state.
ADAPT
American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today
National Headquarters
P.O. Box 9598
Denver, CO 80209
Phone: 303-333-6698
Web site: http://www.adapt.org
ADAPT promotes federal funding of personal assistance services for people with disabilities and the elderly in an effort to decrease the number of people in nursing homes. There are state and local chapters throughout the country. ADAPT will provide information regarding personal assistance services and funding.
The Arc of the United States, National Headquarters
500 East Border Street, Suite 300
P.O. Box 1047
Arlington, TX 76004
Toll-Free InfoLine: 800-433-5255
Phone: 817-261-6003
TDD: 817-277-0553
E-mail: thearc@metronet.com
Web site: http://TheArc.org//welcome.html
The Arc is an association that works on national, state, and local levels to promote services, research, and public understanding for individuals with mental retardation. It provides general information, refer inquiries to state and local Arc's throughout the country, and has an extensive publications list.
AZtech, Inc.
Web site: http://cosmos.ot.buffalo.edu/aztech.html
AZtech is operated by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Evaluation and Transfer. AZtech, Inc., stands for A to Z assistive technology. The Web site serves as a clearinghouse on information related to assistive technology.
Center for Cooperative Housing (CCH)
1614 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-684-3185
The Center for Cooperative Housing assists people to organize cooperative housing efforts. This is the sister organization to the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, which is a membership organization of housing cooperatives.
The Center for Universal Design
School of Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Phone: 919-515-3082 Voice and TDD
Fax: 919-515-3023
800-647-6777 Info Requests
E-mail: cud@ncsu.edu
Web site: http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/design/cud/
The Center for Universal Design is a national center that evaluates, designs, and promotes accessible design in buildings. The Center has a number of publications and educational materials available, and provides information and technical assistance to people with disabilities nationwide.
CoHousing Network
P.O. Box 2584
Berkeley CA 94702
Phone: 510-526-6124
The Network provides general information about co-housing. It publishes the Journal of the CoHousing Network and will provide information on subscriptions and sample issues as a part of its informational packet. A subscription includes an annual national list of co-housing contacts, back issues, as well as a resource list of related publications.
Communitas, Inc.
730 Main Street
Manchester CT 06040
Phone: 203-645-6976
Communitas, Inc., provides networking, educational materials, conducts seminars and conferences, and spearheads creative projects concerning the full participation of children and adults with disabilities in community life.
Community Information Exchange
1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-628-2981
This national non-profit organization helps urban and rural communities with in-depth information on strategies and resources for affordable housing and community development. Resources include funding information, case study examples, providers of technical assistance, bibliographic resources, and sample documents.
Connections for Information and Resources on Community Living (CIRCL)
P.O. Box 1168-881
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone/Fax: 818-752-7484
Web site: http://www.napanet.net/business/personal/CIRCL/CIRCL.html
CIRCL's mission is to create opportunities for building and sharing individual, organizational, and community strengths in supported living. CIRCL creates opportunities through mentoring, developing networks, training, and information dissemination.
Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation
P.O. Box 3776
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-638-4634
Connects to state agencies established to provide consultation, counseling, professional and educational rehabilitation and training for people with mental and physical disabilities. The agencies are part of state government and generally reside in the state capital. Additional services in some states include residential services, independent living programs, and recreation services. Financial assistance for home accessibility modifications is often dispensed through this agency.
Department of Biomedical and Human Factors Engineering
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Wright State University
Dayton, Ohio 45435
Phone: 937-775-5044
Web site: http://www.cs.wright.edu/bhe/rehabengr
The Biomedical and Human Factors Engineering at the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Wright State University provides access to information about what rehabilitation engineers do in service delivery. They provide a list of rehabilitation engineers around the United States.
Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association
75-20 Astoria Blvd.
Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1177
Phone: 718-803-3782
Fax: 718-803-0414
Web site: http://www.epva.org
Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) is an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease by assuring quality health care, promoting research, and advocating for civil rights and independence. It offers programs in administration, advocacy, architecture, assistive technology, benefits, legal affairs, library & information services, public affairs, research & education, sports & recreation, and wheelchair repair. EPVA's architecture program prepares barrier-free plans for members, government agencies, and local businesses.
Estate Planning for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.
P.O. Box 8129
The Woodlands, Texas 77287
Phone: 281-364-7211
Fax: 281-367-6643
Web site: http://members.aol.com/Stemark/index.html
The purpose of Estate Planning for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., is to assist families who have a member with a disability to prepare estate and financial planning. Free information is available on: special needs trusts, guardianship, lifetime budgeting, and government benefits.
Evan Kemp and Associates
9151 Hampton Overlook
Capital Heights, MD 20743
Phone: 301-324-0118 (voice/TTY)
Fax: 301-324-0121
Web site: http://disability.com/index.html
Evan Kemp and Associates produces One Step Ahead, a newspaper that provides tips about products, clubs, people, services, and conferences. The newspaper includes information on legal briefs, new products on the market, sports, travel, health, wellness, research, computers, technology, business, employment, and Washington politics.
Fair Housing Information Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 9146
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: 800-343-3442
Fax: 703-821-2098
The Fair Housing Information Clearinghouse provides educational materials, a newsletter, advertising materials, regulations, reports, and documents on fair housing; information and materials developed under HUD's fair housing programs; and referrals to additional sources of information. The clearinghouse is particularly useful for those seeking fair treatment in obtaining rental housing.
Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae)
3900 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 800-732-6643
Web site: http://www.fanniemae.com
Fannie Mae is a private, shareholder-owned company that works to ensure that mortgage money is available for people in communities all across America. Fannie Mae does not lend money directly to home buyers, but provides a constant source of mortgage funds by investing in the mortgages lenders create. HomeChoice and other affordable mortgage products for low- and moderate-income households are part of Fannie Mae’s Trillion Dollar Commitment, announced in March 1994, to provide $1 trillion in targeted home lending funds for ten million families by the end of the decade. Contact Fannie Mae toll free for information on many topics related to purchasing a home.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Library and Information Services
HUD Building
Washington, DC 20410
Web site: http://www.hud.gov
HUD's homeownership opportunities and home improvement programs are available to individual households through state and local agencies or organizations. HUD also investigates housing-related discrimination complaints filed with their offices. The following numbers will provide general information about HUD programs.
Phone: 202-708-1420. Call to obtain general information on HUD programs, referral to regional HUD offices, a listing of field offices on specific topics, and information on most HUD publications.
Phone: 800-767-4483. The HUD Home Hot Line offers a free brochure with step by step information on how to buy a competitively priced HUD-owned home.
Phone: 800-733-4663. Call to obtain information about the Title 1 Program: the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance program.
Phone: 800-669-9777. Call to contact the HUD Housing Discrimination Hot Line.
Phone: 202-401-7991. Call to contact the HUD Office on Disability Policy.
Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)
Research & Training Center on Independent Living at
The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR)
2323 S. Shepherd, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77019
Phone: 713-520-0232
TDD: 713-520-5136
Web site: http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/ilru
ILRU was established to improve the management effectiveness in independent living centers (ILC's) throughout the country through research and training. The center provides technical assistance and publications, including The Directory of Independent Living Programs that lists ILC's nationwide. The directory is updated monthly. You may also call to obtain the name and address of the independent living center located near you.
Independent Living - USA
Web site: http://www.ilusa.com
Independent Living USA is an organization that offers information on the Internet on issues affecting individuals with disabilities. The Web site includes links for health and medicine, advocacy, employment and economic opportunity, and periodicals and magazines.
Institute for Community Economics
57 School Street
Springfield, MA 01105-1331
Phone: 413-746-8660
Institute for Community Economics acts as a resource for land trust start-ups and publishes a newsletter. They will provide referrals to nearby land trusts for additional assistance.
Institute on Community Integration (UAP)
University of Minnesota
109 Pattee Hall
150 Pillsbury Drive, SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-624-4512
Fax: 612-624-9344
Web site: http://www.ici.coled.umn.edu/ici
The mission of the Institute on Community Integration is to improve the quality and community orientation of professional services and social supports available to individuals with disabilities and their families. Contact the Institute for technical assistance or to request a publications list.
Mortgage Bankers Association of America
1125 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005-2766
Phone: 202-861-6500
Fax: 202-822-6320
A membership institution involved in real estate finance, this organization conducts seminars and workshops in specialized areas of mortgage finance. The Association offers over-the-phone help with a variety of home finance questions.
National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils
Suite 103
1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-347-1234
Fax: 202-347-4023
and
The Consortium of Developmental Disabilities Councils
2971 Crescent Shore Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone/Fax: 616-922-2995
The National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils and the Consortium of Developmental Disabilities Councils are the member associations of the 50 state councils. Contact these associations to learn about council activities nationwide and for the location of your state council.
National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
113 Oronoco Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-683-4202
Fax: 703-684-1395
The Association furnishes member states with a steady stream of information about the latest developments in congressional legislation, federal regulations, and litigation affecting programs for persons with developmental disabilities. The Association also represents the views of state MR/DD program officials within the halls of Congress and among federal agencies.
National Council on Disability
Suite 1050
1331 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: 202-272-2004
Fax : 202-272-2022
TTY: 202-272-2074
Web site: http://ncd.gov
NCD is an independent federal agency that makes recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities. NCD is composed of 15 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
Suite 405
2111 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-525-3406
TDD: 703-525-3409
Fax: 703-525-3407
E-mail: ncil@tsbbs02.tnet.com
The National Council on Independent Living is the national membership association of centers for independent living and people with disabilities. NCIL's mission is to promote a national advocacy agenda that advances the full integration and participation of persons with disabilities in society. NCIL refers inquiries to local independent living centers and provides information on national policy developments that affect people with disabilities. Contact NCIL for information on IL NET, membership, or to receive a quarterly newsletter.
National Council of State Housing Finance Agencies
Suite 438
444 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-624-7710
This is a national membership association of State Housing Finance Agencies. Contact this organization to learn about national policy issues or for the location of the housing finance agency in your state.
National Foundation for Affordable Housing
11200 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-468-3100
This foundation works to maintain the existing stock of affordable housing and encourages the development of new affordable housing through public/private partnerships.
National Guardianship Association
1604 North Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
Phone: 520-881-6561
Fax: 520-325-7925
Web site: http://www.guardianship.org
The National Guardianship Association provides educational, training, and networking opportunities for guardians and surrogates. Its mission is to promote values, standards, and ethics and to ensure a national standard of excellence.
National Home of Your Own Alliance
c/o The Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Fax: 919-515-3023
Toll-free InfoLine: 800-220-8770
Web site: http://alliance.unh.edu
The National Home of Your Own Alliance is a national information and technical assistance center. It is a place to get direction and information about homeownership and control for people with disabilities. The Alliance is funded by the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities through a cooperative agreement with the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. The Alliance’s toll-free information and referral phone line provides general information about Alliance activities. Technical assistance in accessible and universal design and home modifications is also available through the InfoLine. Call for a complete publications list.
National Housing Institute (NHI)
439 Main Street
Orange, New Jersey 07050
Phone: 201-678-3110
The National Housing Institute is a non-profit organization that provides information and resources that contribute to community development and the creation and preservation of decent, affordable housing for all people. Shelterforce is the six times-per-year publication of NHI.
National Institute on Life Planning for
Persons with Disabilities
P.O. Box 5093
Twin Falls, ID 83303-5093
Phone: 208-735-8556
Fax: 208-735-8562
Web site: http://www.sonic.net/nil
The National Institute on Life Planning for Persons with Disabilities is a national organization dedicated to promoting transition, life, and person-centered planning for persons with disabilities and their families. It provides information on transition, life, and person centered planning, government benefits, advocacy, guardianship, aging, housing, and supported employment.
National Low Income Housing Coalition
1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-662-1530
Fax: 202-393-1979
Web site: http://www.nlihc.org
The National Low Income Housing Coalition/NLIHC is an organization dedicated to ending America's affordable housing crisis. The NLIHC is committed to educating, organizing, and advocating to ensure decent, affordable housing. NLIHC provides up-to-date information, formulates policy, and educates the public on housing needs and strategies for solutions.
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC)
607 Boylston Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-450-0410
The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC) is a national organization with nine regional offices and 180 affiliated organizations in 150 cities around the country, including eight mutual housing associations. The organization promotes affordable housing, and community and economic development. The Boston office of NRC provides information and technical assistance for mutual housing associations around the issues of resident participation, property management, and real estate development. Write or call for information and free publications, as well as lists of for-sale publications.
New York State Future Care Planning Clearinghouse
Bronx Independent Living Center
3525 Decatur Avenue
Bronx, NY 10467
Phone: 718-652-3469
Fax: 718-515-2844
TTY: 718-515-3803
Web site: http://www.nysfcpc.org/index.html#TOP
The Future Care Planning Clearinghouse provides information regarding future care planning for persons with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses and their families in New York State. The Clearinghouse assists persons with disabilities and their families by providing referrals to persons, organizations, and agencies with expertise in future care planning. They also maintain a library and database with information including: general information on disabilities, financial options, housing, and independent and supported living resources. The Clearinghouse has articles on these and other topics for people with disabilities and their families. Publications are available in Spanish, large print format, audio tape, and/or audio visual versions.
The President's Committee on Mental Retardation (PCMR)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Hubert H. Humphrey Bldg., Room 352G
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201-0001
Phone: 202-619-0634
Fax: 202-205-9519
E-mail: pcmr@acf.dhhs
Web site: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/pcmr
The PCMR acts in an advisory capacity to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters relating to programs and services for persons with mental retardation. Since 1974, the Committee has organized national planning, stimulated development of plans, policies, and programs, and advanced the concept of community participation in the field of mental retardation. The Committee conducts forums and has numerous publications that address the field of mental retardation including the needs, interests, concerns, and quality of life experienced by citizens with mental retardation. Request PCMR's extensive publications list.
Research and Training Center on Community Integration
Center on Human Policy
Syracuse University
200 Huntington Hall
Syracuse NY 13244-2340
Phone: 315-443-3851
The Center on Human Policy at Syracuse University, through its Research and Training Center on Community Integration, distributes a variety of reports and resources on the integration of people with severe disabilities into community life. Call or write for a complete listing of their publications.
Rural Housing and Community Development Service (RHCDS)
(formerly, the Farmer's Home Administration)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th and Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202-720-4323
RHCDS offers financial assistance to apartment dwellers and homeowners in rural areas. Specific housing programs include the Rural Rental Housing Program and Rural Housing Preservation Grants Program. The RHCDS has regional and local offices that serve all fifty states, DC, and Puerto Rico.
Self-Determination Project
The Concord Center
10 Ferry Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603-228-0602
Fax: 603-228-3270
Web site: http://iod.unh.edu/projects/rwj.html
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's National Program on Self-Determination for Persons with Developmental Disabilities provides funds to 19 states to carry out self-determination activities. The program office is part of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. The office makes available financial resources, technical assistance, and training support in self-determination. Several monographs, a video, an introduction to self-determination, and a National Public Radio broadcast are available.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
Toll-free: 800-772-1213 (general information and publication)
Toll-free TTY: 800-325-0778
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov
SSA administers and directs all social security benefits programs including Supplemental Security Income, that provides social security benefits for the elderly and people with disabilities (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The PASS and IWRE programs may help individuals who want to own and control their own home. The toll-free phone number allows individuals to order publications covering numerous programs. The toll-free phone number can also refer inquiries to the ten regional Social Security Administration offices, as well as local offices located in major cities throughout the country.
TASH
29 West Susquehanna Avenue, Suite 210
Baltimore, MD 21204
Phone: 410-828-8274
TDD: 410-828-1306
Fax: 410-828-6706
Web site: http://www.tash.org/tashhome.htm
A membership organization of people with disabilities, families, friends, professionals, and service providers that seeks to ensure an autonomous and dignified lifestyle for all people with severe disabilities. TASH provides information and referral services. They provide referrals to regional and local TASH chapters throughout the country.
United Cerebral Palsy Associations (UCPA)
1522 K Street, NW, Suite 1112
Washington, DC 20005
Toll-free InfoLine: 800-872-5827
Phone: 202-842-1266
Web site: http://www.ucpa.org
UCPA has a national network of over 170 local affiliates throughout the United States. The national office's toll-free phone line provides information and referral on legislative and advocacy issues and services throughout the country.
World Institute on Disability
510 16th Street, Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94612-1502
Phone: 510-763-4100
TDD: 510-208-9493
Fax: 510-763-4109
The World Institute on Disability is a nonprofit public policy center dedicated to the promotion of independence and full inclusion in society of people with disabilities. Contact the Institute for information and a publications list.
Publications
A number of pamphlets and booklets on how to buy and maintain a house are available free or at minimal cost from the U.S. government. A partial listing follows:
General
A Home Buyer's Guide to Environmental Hazards. Discusses possible consequences of exposure to radon, asbestos, lead, hazardous wastes, ground water contamination, and formaldehyde. 41 pp. (1990).
Home Buyer's Vocabulary. Defines words and terms used in real estate transactions. 14 pp. (HUD, 383-H9).
To the Home-Buying Veteran: A Guide for Veterans Planning to Buy or Build Homes with a VA Loan. (VA Pamphlet 26-6, 1994).
Wise Home Buying. Includes how to shop for a house, when to use a broker, inspection procedures, and shopping for a mortgage. 24 pp. (HUD, 267-H5).
Financing
A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-Ins. How you may lock in interest rates and points when applying for a mortgage. 14 pp. (FRB, 1995).
Consumer Handbook on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages. Basic features, advantages, risks, and terminology associated with ARMs. 25 pp. (FRB/OTS, 1995).
Guide to Single-Family Home Mortgage Insurance. Explains the basic provisions of the major FHA insurance program. 28 pp. (HUD, 1235-HK).
Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Rights. Describes the home buyer's responsibilities regarding the application and credit evaluation stages and legal protections. 4 pp. (FRB, 1995).
The Mortgage Money Guide: Creative Financing for Home Buyers. Explains many of the new financing alternatives available to home buyers today. 16 pp. (FTC, 1989).
VA-Guaranteed Home Loans for Veterans. Must reading if you are eligible for a VA loan. (VA Pamphlet 26-4, 1995).
Closing
Settlement Costs: A HUD Guide. Provides an overview of the home-buying process with special emphasis on closing costs. Lenders are required to give this booklet to home buyers when they apply for a mortgage loan. 45 pp. (HUD, 1989).
After the purchase
Pointers for the Veteran Homeowner: A Guide for Veterans Whose Home Mortgage is Guaranteed or Insured Under the GI Bill. Valuable information for all homeowners. (VA Pamphlet 26-5, 1992).
Simple Home Repairs Inside. Easy step-by-step directions with pictures of how to repair or replace doors, faucets, plugs, windows, screens, tiles, etc. 24 pp. (USDA), 1986.
When You Move: Your Rights and Responsibilities. Interstate moving companies must furnish this booklet to their customers. 22 pp. (ICC, 1983).
Money management and credit
Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws. Discussion of consumer's rights with respect to the uses of credit. 44 pp. (FRB, 1993).
A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Refinancing. What the costs are and how to tell if the time is right to refinance your home. 8 pp. (FRB, 1995).
Equal Credit Opportunity and Age: Your Rights. What a creditor may and may not consider when determining your credit worthiness. 5 pp. (FDIC, 1987).
Fair Credit Reporting Act. How to check the data in your credit file and what to do if it's incorrect. In English and Spanish. 7 pp. (FDIC, 1987).
Financial Institutions: Consumer Rights. Covers federal laws on banking, credit, and home buying; lists regulatory agencies to contact with complaints. 12 pp. (FFIEC, 1990).
Money Matters. Tips for selecting the best real estate broker or lawyer at an agreeable price. 13 pp. (FTC, 1986).
The Principles of Managing Your Finances. How to assess your current financial status, set goals, and develop and carry out a budget. 43 pp. (USDA, 1987).
When Your Home Is On the Line: What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit. How to find the best deal if you plan to use your home as collateral for a home equity loan. 16 pp. (FRB, 1995).
Special types of housing
Mobile homes
How to Buy a Manufactured Home. Discusses selection, site preparation, transportation, and installation of mobile homes. 23 pp. (FTC, 1986).
Questions and Answers on Manufactured Home Loans for Veterans. (VA Pamphlet 26-71-1, 1989).
Financing Manufactured Homes. (HUD-265-H10).
Condominiums
Questions About Condominiums: What to Ask Before You Buy. A consumer guide for condominium buyers. (HUD-365-H8).
How to order these booklets
Most of the publications listed above are available for a small charge through the federal government's Consumer Information Center. To order these or other free and low-cost publications, request a Consumer Information Catalog by writing to the Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, Colorado 81002.
VA publications may be requested from your nearest Veterans Administration regional office. FHA/HUD brochures are available from your nearest HUD regional field office.
Home purchase/financing/ownership
Mortgage Loans: What's Right for You? Bridges, James E., 1994, Cincinnati, Ohio: Betterway Books. 144 pp. This book describes the advantages and disadvantages of various types of mortgage loans. Included is information on private mortgage insurance, closing costs, prepaid items, and loan qualification. $14.95 plus shipping and handling.
Available from:
Betterway Books
1507 Dana Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45207-1005
Phone: 800-289-0963
A Practical and Simple Guide To a Home Mortgage. Bass, Gary J., 1987, Irving, Texas: G & P Publishing. 66 pp. The book offers an overview of the financial aspects of purchasing a home. It is a hands-on guide to loans, interest rates, and other practical aspects of financing a home. It includes worksheets to aid perspective home buyers. $10.50 (including shipping & handling).
Available from:
G & P Publishing
1404 Lookout Circle
Irving, TX 75060-4909
Phone: 214-986-6575
Fact Sheet #1 Fair Housing Amendments Act: Provisions Relating to Discrimination Based on Disability. 1991. 3 pp. $1.00.
Fact Sheet #2 Fair Housing Amendments Act: Reasonable Modification of Existing Premises. 1991. 2 pp. $1.00.
Available from:
The Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Toll-free InfoLine: 800-220-8770
Person-owned and controlled housing
Home of My Own. 1994, Durham, New Hampshire, University of New Hampshire. A 25-minute video outlining New Hampshire's three-year demonstration project. Three project participants are filmed in their homes talking about what homeownership has meant to them. Family members and service providers discuss how relationships have changed in the process. The project director, legal counsel, and the state housing finance director provide perspective on the project's historical, legal, and financial significance. This sensitive treatment of a complex and innovative initiative is open-captioned and suitable for a general audience. $20.00 (including shipping & handling).
Extending the American Dream: Homeownership for People with Disabilities. Klein, J., and Black, M., 1995, Durham, New Hampshire, University of New Hampshire. 46 pp. The report summarizes financial and demographic data for 16 participants in the New Hampshire Home of Your Own project who closed on their homes from June 1992 to June of 1994. The report includes tables and narrative illustrating the types of properties purchased, sources and uses of funding, and descriptions of mortgages. Profiles of several homeowners, photographs, and an overview of the project and its outcomes make this publication a useful companion for the video, and accessible to audiences beyond the financial community. $20.00 (including shipping & handling).
A Report on Legal and Financial Planning Issues in the Home of Your Own Project. MacIntosh, John D., 1995, Durham, New Hampshire, University of New Hampshire. 13 pp. As states move from a residential support model focused on a "provider" or "agency" to options where an individual leases or owns his own home, significant legal and financial planning issues emerge involving state and federal employment laws, IRS regulations, and Medicaid eligibility. The report addresses not only pitfalls that policy makers, providers of services, individuals with disabilities, and their families may encounter, but also trust and guardianship issues. Areas of discussion include preserving eligibility for and maximizing the use of Medicaid benefits and Department of Labor and IRS issues in supporting people with disabilities in their homes. $2.00 (including shipping & handling).
Available from:
National Home of Your Own Alliance
c/o Center for Universal Design
NCSU, Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
800-220-8770
Housing, Support and Community: Choices and Strategies for Adults with Disabilities. Edited by Racino, Julie Ann, Walker, Pamela, O'Connor, Susan, and Taylor, Steven, 1993, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 394 pp. (The Community Participation Series, Volume 2). The book demonstrates the importance of people with disabilities having control over their lives by discussing various approaches to support, life planning, choices, and decision-making within the context of housing. $32.00.
Innovative Practices in Supported Living: An Overview of Organizations, Issues and Resource Materials. Center on Human Policy. Syracuse, NY: Center on Human Policy. 1996. 66 pp. A comprehensive resource package on supported living including examples of agencies around the country that are successfully implementing a supported living approach with a discussion of related issues, such as housing and person-centered planning.
Available from:
Center on Human Policy
National Resource Center on Community Integration
Syracuse University
805 South Crouse Avenue, Room 101
Syracuse, NY 13244-2280
Phone: 315-443-3851
TDD: 315-443-4355
Critical Issues in the Lives of People with Severe Disabilities. Meyer, Luanna, Peck, Charles A., and Brown, Lou, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 1991. 704 pp. This anthology contains documents and research monographs on issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities. Especially pertinent are the sections on community living and assistance describing where and how people with disabilities will live. This well-organized, state-of-the-art resource is written by noted authorities and advocates who offer provocative and creative challenges. $90.00.
Available from:
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company
P.O. Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
Phone: 800-638-3775
The Housemate Agreement. The Center for Universal Design, 1992, 12 pp. Homeowners may find it useful to share their homes with others. A housemate agreement avoids the tenant/landlord status that may otherwise result from this relationship. Considerations and advantages to both the owner and the housemate are discussed, and a copy of a sample agreement is included. $3.00.
Available from:
The Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Phone: 800-647-6777
Person-centered planning/personal assistance
From Behind the Piano: Building Judith Snow's Unique Circle of Friends. Pearpoint, Jack, Toronto, Canada: Inclusion Press. 1990. 136 pp. For parents and advocates who doubt whether to champion their child's cause, the story of Judith Snow and her Joshua committee demonstrates that love and determination will convert insurmountable barriers into conquerable challenges and vulnerability into strength. $15.00 includes shipping.
PATH WorkBook: A Workbook for Planning Possible Positive Futures. Pearpoint, J., O'Brien, J., and Forest, M., Toronto, Canada: Inclusion Press. 60 pp. A must for anyone using PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope). The workbook is a creative planning tool for use by individuals, families, or organizations and is a companion to the PATH training video (also available from Inclusion Press). $15.00 includes shipping.
All My Life's a Circle, Using the Tools: Circles MAPS & PATH. Falvey, M., Forest, M., Pearpoint, J., and Rosenberg, R., Toronto, Canada: Inclusion Press. 1994. 54 pp. All you wanted to know about Circles, MAPS, and PATH in a short collaborative booklet. It is a perfect companion booklet for conferences and workshops. $15.00 includes shipping.
Inclusion Press
24 Thome Crescent
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M6H 2S5
Phone: 416-658-5363
It's Never too Early, It's Never too Late: A Booklet on Personal Futures Planning. Mount, Beth, and Zwernik, Kay, St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities. 1989. 45 pp. The book explains personal futures planning and offers direction on structuring a planning process. It discusses a capacity-search process, building circles of support, and principles of networks. The publication explores changing service systems along with a candid discussion of the pitfalls to avoid in the planning process. Stock Number: #5-8. Ask for copies of their extensive publications list. First copy free, additional copies $5.59 each.
Single copies available from:
Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities
300 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: 612-296-4018
Multiple copies available from:
Minnesota's Bookstore
117 University Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55155
Toll-free: 800-652-9747, non-metro Minnesota, only.
Phone: 612-297-3000 in the metropolitan twin cities area and
out-of-state callers.
Creating Individual Supports for People with Developmental Disabilities: A Mandate for Change at Many Levels. Bradley, V.J., Ashbaugh, J.W., and Blaney, B.C., Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. 1994. 560 pp. The book describes systems change strategies and action steps to create effective individualized supports. The text guides professionals and advocates through the critical steps that will ensure effective implementation of individualized supports. The authors demonstrate how to create collaborations and partnerships using positive futures planning and quality assurance. In-depth examples show the various ways it can happen.
Natural Supports in School, at Work, and in the Community for People with Severe Disabilities. Edited: Nisbet, Jan, Ph.D., Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 1992. 384 pp. The work combines thoughtful research and provocative first-person accounts to illustrate how natural supports work. It supports the position that assistance must be defined by the needs of individuals rather than the requirements of service systems. Included is a chapter written by Jay Klein titled, "Get Me the Hell Out of Here," which discusses natural supports for people in their own homes. $30.00.
Available from:
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company
P.O. Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
Phone: 800-638-3775
Building Community for People with Disabilities: Person-Centered Development. (A Series of Six Monographs). Mount, Beth, Beeman, Pat, and Ducharme, George. Manchester, CT: Communitas.
Dare to Dream: An Analysis of the Conditions Leading to Personal Change for People with Disabilities. 1991. 50 pp.
Imperfect Change: Embracing the Tensions of Person-Centered Work. 1990. 36 pp.
One Candle-Power: Building Bridges to Community Life. 1989. 45 pp.
Person-Centered Development: A Journey in Learning to Listen to People with Disabilities. 1991. 50 pp.
What are We Learning about Bridge-Building?: A Summary of a Dialogue Between People Seeking to Build Community for People with Disabilities. 1988. 21 pp.
What are We Learning about Circles of Support?: A Collection of Tools, Ideas and Reflections on Building and Facilitating Circles of Support. 1988. 30 pp.
These books and others
are available from:
Communitas, Inc.
730 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: 203-645-6976
Impact: Feature Issue on Supported Living. Institute on Community Integration. Minneapolis, MN: Institute on Community Integration. 1995. 28 pp. Special issue newsletter on supported living including recommendations for agency-wide change. Additional copies $2.
Available from:
Institute on Community Integration (UAP)
Publications Office, University of Minnesota
109 Pattee Hall
150 Pillsbury Drive, SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-624-4512
Finding a Way Toward Everyday Lives: The Contribution of Person Centered Planning. O'Brien, John and Lovett, Herbert. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Office of Mental Retardation. 1992. 19 pp. The short booklet describes the foundation for person-centered planning and its potential for creating a better future for people, as well as influencing change. It also addresses controversies and fears associated with this new approach. A bibliography is included.
Available from:
Pennsylvania Office of Mental Retardation
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
Phone: 717-787-3700
Community integration
Publications by Staff and Associates of the Center on Human Policy. National Resource Center on Community Integration. Syracuse, NY: National Resource Center on Community Integration. 1996. 7 pp. The publication list includes books, articles, chapters, and reviews that discuss many critical issues for people with disabilities.
Resources and Reports on Community Integration. National Resource Center on Community Integration. Syracuse, NY: National Resource Center on Community Integration, 1996. 15 pp. The listing includes numerous information packages, site visit reports, resource materials, news bulletins, journal articles, and studies on the integration of people with disabilities into community life.
Available from:
Center on Human Policy
National Resource Center on Community Integration
Syracuse University
805 South Crouse Avenue, Room 101
Syracuse, NY 13244-2280
Phone: 315-443-3851
TDD: 315-443-4355
The Whole Community Catalogue. Wetherow, David/Communitas, 1992, Gunnars & Campbell, Winnipeg. A source book for enriching our communities, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, associations and families through full participation and inclusion of people who have disabilities. A collection of essential articles, ideas, reviews, and connections. Includes resources on relationships, education, vocations, training, networks, periodicals, catalogues, and housing. $15 plus $2 shipping & handling.
Available from:
Communitas, Inc.
730 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: 203-645-6976
Annotated Bibliography on Aging, Disabilities, Advocacy and Environmental Design. Edited: Bishop, Kathleen, Research and Training Center on Community Integration, 1993, 23 pp., Syracuse, NY. $2.40.
Annotated Bibliography on Community Integration. Revised Research and Training Center on Community Integration, 1990, 250 pp., Syracuse, NY., $16.75.
Life in the Community: Case Studies of Organizations Supporting People with Disabilities. Edited: Taylor, Steven J., Bogdan, Robert, and Racino, Julie Ann, 1991, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 304 pp. (The Community Participation Series, Volume 1). This has comprehensive case studies organized around three themes: families, housing, and the role of the community in integration. It provides practical ideas, applications, and strategies to promote successful community integration for people of all abilities. $30.00.
Available from:
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company
P.O. Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
Phone: 800-638-3775
Members of Each Other: Building Community in Company with People with Developmental Disabilities. O'Brien, John and Lyle-O'Brien, Connie, Toronto, Canada: Inclusion Press. 1996. 140 pp. An inspiring collection of essays and reflections exploring how community can be regenerated when everyone is included in the process. $12.00 plus $3 shipping.
Available from:
Inclusion Press
24 Thome Crescent
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6H 2S5
Phone: 416-658-5363
Supported Living Resource List. The Arc of the United States. Arlington, TX: The Arc of the United States. 1996. 4 pp. The publication contains information on programs and materials that address various aspects of community living. The listing is updated periodically to reflect new organizations and publications. Order #30-28. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Available from:
The Arc of the United States
National Headquarters
500 East Border Street, Suite 300
P.O. Box 1047
Arlington, TX 76004
Toll-free InfoLine: 800-433-5255
Phone: 817-261-6003
TDD: 817-277-0553
E-mail: thearc@metronet.com
New Life in the Neighborhood. Perske, Robert. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press. 1980. 77 pp. Perske demonstrates in this book that persons with disabilities are capable of being part of community life.
This and other books are available from:
Abingdon Press
201 Eighth Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37202
Toll-free: 800-251-3320