Founder's Way
Founder’s way is an exciting new housing project opening in fall 2022, in partnership with the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS). It is a 75 unit apartment complex currently being developed in Tompkins County. Among the units on site, Racker will work with INHS to provide “Integrative Supportive Housing” apartments to 9 tenants with developmental disabilities. In addition to the newly constructed apartments, the property will host a variety of amenities including coin-operated laundry, bike storage, on-site parking, community rooms, and offices. The property is centrally located at 320 W. Buffalo Street in the heart of Ithaca NY. The former site of a school, it is conveniently located near a TCAT bus stop, parks, banks, medical/public offices, and a variety of business.
To qualify for Founder’s Way you must be over the age of 18 and have OPWDD eligibility. People who are self-directing their services are also welcome to apply! Each prospective tenant will submit an initial “Document of Interest” and will work with a Certified Housing Navigator at Racker to develop their individualized housing plan, which will be used for tenant selection. The plan helps identify needs, so that each tenant has the supports and accommodations in place to be successful renters.
The 9 tenants will have a standard INHS lease but will be offered additional supports from the Housing Navigators and Racker staff to help them live independently. Tenants will also be offered the opportunity to join Racker’s experienced Community Habilitation program, where they can get individualized hands-on support from a Community Support Professional. To prepare, the housing team at Racker has also developed an 8-part workshop series, dedicated to teaching core independence skills. Workshops are currently being offered virtually via ZOOM, to both prospective tenants as well as the general public. Workshop topics include finances/budgeting, community safety, public transportation, tenants’ rights, and more.
Racker is currently in the early stages of the tenant selection process and is still looking for prospective tenants. For more information about the Racker Founder’s Way project or to obtain/submit a “Document of Interest” please contact the housing team at housing@racker.org or by calling Lyndsey Paulin at (607) 220-4806.
For information about the upcoming Independence Workshops via ZOOM, please visit our website www.racker.org/events for the registration flyer or contact Lyndsey Paulin at LyndseyP@racker.org or (607) 220-4806.
