Answers to your questions about living independently

Below is a collection of frequently asked questions about Villa de Vida, organized by the key groups in our community. Each section addresses the top questions and concerns of self-advocates, families, professionals, and partners, with answers grounded in Villa de Vida’s model and data from research and experience.

Group of diverse young adults with disabilities smiling and hugging, including a woman in a wheelchair, posing outdoors under a canopy.

Self-Advocates (Adults with I/DD)

  1. What is Villa de Vida, and how can it help me live independently?

  2. Will I have my own apartment and freedom at Villa de Vida?

  3. What kind of support or help can I get while living at Villa de Vida?

  4. Will I be part of a community and have social activities and friends there?

  5. Do I have to participate in every program or follow a set schedule, or can I do things my own way?

  6. What to do next.

Older woman showing a tablet to a girl with Down syndrome wearing headphones, sitting together outdoors.

Families, Caregivers & Parents

  1. Will my adult child be safe and well-supported living at Villa de Vida?

  1. What level of independence is required for residents, and will there be help with daily tasks if needed?

  1. What services and activities does Villa de Vida provide for the residents?

  1. How affordable is it to live at Villa de Vida, and how do residents pay for it?

  1. How does Villa de Vida handle crises or behavioral issues? Could my child be evicted if they struggle?

  1. How can my child apply or get into Villa de Vida?

  2. What to do next.

Close-up of the word "advocate" in a dictionary, highlighted in red with pronunciation marks, representing case managers, advocates, and service coordinators.

Case Managers, Advocates, & Service Coordinators

  1. Who is eligible to live at Villa de Vida, and how can I refer a client for housing there?

  1. What on-site services does Villa de Vida provide, and how does that interface with the services our agency provides?

  1. How does Villa de Vida help ensure residents maintain their housing and achieve their personal goals?

  1. In what ways can we as case managers or advocates collaborate with Villa de Vida staff?

  1. What makes Villa de Vida’s housing model different or innovative compared to other options for adults with I/DD?

  1. Are there opportunities for clients who aren’t residents (or aren’t yet ready for independent living) to engage with Villa de Vida’s community?

  2. What to do next.

An educator holding a card labeled "Service Provider" above a laptop keyboard.

Service Providers & Educators

  1. How can our organization partner with or offer services to Villa de Vida residents?

  1. Does Villa de Vida collaborate with schools or educators to support skill-building for residents (or prospective residents)?

  1. Are there volunteer or internship opportunities at Villa de Vida for professionals or students?

  1. What impact is Villa de Vida having on the broader community and on advancing inclusion?

  2. What to do next.

Housing developers reviewing architectural blueprints at a table; a person's hand rests on the drawings, holding a pencil.

Housing Developers & Community Partners

  1. What partnerships and funding were involved in creating Villa de Vida, and how was it developed?

  2. Why is a community like Villa de Vida needed, and what problem does it address?

  3. How is Villa de Vida’s model different from other housing models for people with disabilities, and how does it complement them?

  4. How does Villa de Vida integrate its residents into the broader community and encourage community partnerships?

  5. Can this model be replicated elsewhere, and what are the key factors for success?

  6. How can community members or organizations support Villa de Vida’s mission and the development of similar housing?

  7. What to do next.