Our Story

It began with a fear and evolved into a dream

Casa Familia was established in 2015 by eight families united by a shared concern for the uncertain future of their loved ones with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Related Disabilities. These founding families faced significant challenges due to the lack of affordable housing and meaningful community engagement opportunities for individuals with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Related Disabilities, particularly as they transitioned into adulthood. Driven by a passion to fill this critical gap, they embarked on a mission to create lasting solutions.

To address these challenges, the founders dedicated themselves to establishing a best-practice model for affordable housing that serves adults with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Related Disabilities. This vision focuses on creating a sustainable and replicable affordable housing model that meets the diverse needs of this population. Guided by a professional Board of Directors and bolstered by the support of local businesses, foundations, and local and state governments, Casa Familia has transformed this vision into reality. Through hard work and unwavering commitment, Casa Familia has become a leading advocate and provider of inclusive, affordable housing communities designed to empower individuals with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Related Disabilities in South Florida.

Defining the Problem

The greatest fear shared by all families of individuals with special needs:

“Where will my loved one live and who will care for them when I am no longer able?”

Casa Familia is working to answer that question.
Statistics reveal:

29% of the adult population in the U.S. has a disability.1

14% of Florida residents have an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD).2

75% of adults with IDD live with a parent or guardian.3

defining-people-figures_3-2-25
One in three adults with IDD live with a family member over the age of 60, and most will outlive their caregiver.3

So, where do adults with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Related Disabilities live?

45.8%

Nearly half of Florida residents aged 18-64 with a disability have both  a cognitive and self-care disability.9

According to the National Council on Disability, people with disabilities live in poverty at more than twice the rate of people without disabilities.6 Many adults with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Related Disabilities subsist on a maximum Supplemental Security Income (SSI) of $967 per month (2025).7

In Kendall, where The Village of Casa Familia will be located, a one-bedroom market-rate rental apartment unit averages $1,800 per month, 187% of the 2025 SSI benefit.8

Existing affordable housing options are extremely limited, offer few opportunities for social engagement or personal enrichment, and often do not meet the needs of individuals with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Related Disabilities. In Florida only 6 communities have been developed, serving less than 1,000 individuals in total, and none are located in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach, three of the most populous counties in the State – until Casa Familia.

References

 

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and
    Developmental Disabilities, Disability Impact ALL of US” (2020)
  2. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for
    Disease Control and Prevention, Disability Impacts Florida” (May 12, 2023)
  3. Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc., Five-Year State Plan 2022-2026,
    Priority Area #3: Aging Caregivers, p.5
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects
    and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Human Development and Disability. Disability and
    Health Data System (DHDS) Data     [online]. [accessed Jul 6, 2024].
  5. Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc., Aging Generations’ Expectations
    in Developmental Disabilities Final Overall Report    , pp. 5, 32 (Sept. 24, 2021)
  6. National Council on Disability, 2023 Progress Report: Toward Economic Security:
    The Impact of Income and Asset Limits on People with Disabilities
  7. Social Security Administration, SSI Federal Payment Amounts For 2025; see also: Fact Sheet: Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  8. Zillow Rental Manager, Average Rental Price in Kendall, FL & Market Trends (Mar. 23, 2025)
  9. ADSC Compendium 24; Center for Research on Disability

Our Mission

To sponsor the development of affordable housing communities in Miami-Dade County, with enriched features, amenities, and services that benefit adults with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Related Disabilities.

Our Vision

To establish a best-practice model for affordable housing serving adults with Intellectual, Developmental, and Other Related Disabilities, that is sustainable, replicable, and meets the needs of a broad spectrum of individuals.