My Home: Life in Community
Entity which complete it
Country
Town
Project name
Stating Year
Where it takes place
Range of age
Type of disability
Project link
Why is it a good practice of the Person-Centered Model?
Because it offers the possibility to live in ordinary community housing rather than institutions; people choose where and with whom to live; it supports autonomy, personal choice, makes possible social inclusion in “normal” neighbourhoods, and treats people as citizens with rights to community life. The supports are tailored to each person’s needs and life project.
Integrated Assessment (Person, Family, Housing) and Life History
The project assesses the person’s needs and support requirements to enable a transition from institutional/residential care to community living; this includes evaluating housing suitability, support needs, and adapting supports individually to allow community living.
Personalised Care and Support Plan for the Life Project
For each individual, a tailored plan is developed, including supports for daily living, community inclusion, assistive technologies, support staff, transition plan from institutions to independent living, according to personal preferences and needs.
Support groups
Community integration, inclusion in neighborhoods; the project includes community-building, neighbour-inclusion, involvement of families and community, which can function as informal support networks. Also the project promotes involvement of wider social environment (neighbors, public services, associations).
Case Management and Resource Coordinator
The project coordinates support through participating organisations and federations, with “connectors” or facilitators to manage transitions, supports, ongoing accompaniment — a coordination structure across housing, social support, community inclusion, and public services.
Highlined results
The project has enabled 275 people to live in 68 ordinary community homes, showing that individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities can successfully move out of institutional settings. This shift has brought clear gains in autonomy: most participants make decisions about their living spaces, nearly all have their own personal plans, many choose the supports they receive, and almost half feel more confident navigating their neighbourhoods. Families report a marked improvement in quality of life, and professionals note stronger, more person-centred support practices. The wider community has also been transformed, with over 1,300 local services and organisations contributing to more inclusive neighbourhoods. These results highlight how the project enhances both personal independence and social inclusion.
Inspiring ideas for other enviorments. It can works! 😉
This project shows that deinstitutionalization and community living for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and high support needs is feasible, with adequate supports. It proves that ordinary housing, community inclusion, personalized support, and public-social coordination can replace institutional models. Other regions or countries can replicate this model combining housing, supports, community integration and rights-based approach.
Other observations
The project is part of a broader deinstitutionalization and social-care transformation strategy; uses funds from national and EU recovery/NextGeneration funds; combines innovation, public policy change, community engagement, and technology (assistive tech).
Evidence and indicators
Quality-of-life improvements (autonomy, decision-making), number of persons transitioned (275), number of community houses (68), satisfaction rates among individuals, families and professionals, community inclusion metrics (1,300+ services engaged), economic and social impact analyses (cost/benefit, reduction in institutionalization), reports and infographics published on project site.