Housing & Community

With 1.8 million adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities living with caregivers over age 60, the urgency for housing, healthcare and community options continues to grow.

Housing and Community Equity

Through the Make Waves Center for Community Development, First Place Global is actively pursuing a range of initiatives to address housing issues facing adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD).

A Place in the World®, 3rd ed.

The definitive tri-sector resource for the housing industry, direct service providers, policymakers, scholars, researchers and various other stakeholders.

Reports that identify the housing needs and preferences of adults with autism and/or I/DD and their families/caregivers.

Many people with autism and/or I/DD contend with loneliness and isolation. Because the best support can come from someone with lived experience, First Place developed Place4Peers, a comprehensive program to train aspiring peer specialists.

Together, we are focused on myriad ways to make this a more nurturing and inclusive world for vulnerable populations.

Powerful, productive tools are helping make a life of independence possible.

First Place–Phoenix

In the heart of midtown Phoenix, Arizona, adults with autism and/or other intellectual/developmental disabilities are embracing life on their own and thriving among friends.

“Housing and community options for special populations are today where the senior housing industry started 60 years ago. We still have much to do to create a marketplace of options, recognizing that, like age, diagnosis alone does not determine an individual’s home needs or preferences.”
Denise D. Resnik, Founder & President/CEO, First Place AZ