Contact: Emily Frye
Independent Living Specialist
efrye@independenceinc.org
841-0333 ext. 107
Independence, Inc. provides information and services to assist people with disabilities obtain affordable and/or accessible housing, to learn one’s rights under fair housing laws, how to exercise those rights and offers supports to remain in the home of your choice.
Accessible Housing Program
The Independence, Inc. Accessible Housing Program (AHP) is grant-funded through the City of Lawrence Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The purpose of the program is to assist people with disabilities and low incomes in Lawrence, KS, make needed accessibility modifications in their homes, including ramps, accessible showers, low-rise toilets and grab bars, low-rise steps and more. Qualifying Households will be at or below 80%AMI and reside within Lawrence city limits. Helping people with disabilities remain in their home and out of a facility, is our top priority. Contact Daniel Brown to learn about the current availability of this grant and other resources that can assist you make needed accessibility modifications to your home.
Nursing Home Transitions
Our Nursing Home Transition Program (or Deinstitutionalization) assists people with disabilities in moving from an institution like a nursing home or rehabilitation facility, back into the least restrictive living option and community of their choice. It is our top priority to see that people that want to live independently in their communities, have access to the resources and supports that may make that possible. For Nursing Home Transition Services, contact Sara Comstock, scomstock@independenceinc.org or 913-354-6882 ext. 115.
Additional Resources
- Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity Rights and Resources for People with Disabilities U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website with information for people with disabilities.
- What Fair Housing Means for People with Disabilities is an excellent booklet from the Bazelon Center explaining in plain language how three federal laws protect the housing rights of people with mental or physical disabilities.
- Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity for All booklet A booklet available for download or print from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that further explain housing rights and accommodations for individuals with disabilities based on Fair Housing laws.
- All About Rental Assistance! Search the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for all things Rental Assistance related, including State-specific rental information, property search and how to apply for public and subsidized housing.
- Kansas Human Rights Commission Agency that enforces the Kansas Act Against Discrimination
- The City of Lawrence, Kansas Human Relations Division is a local civil rights enforcement agency. It investigates complaints from persons in the City of Lawrence, Kansas alleging they have been discriminated against in employment, housing, or public accommodations because of disability and other protected class status. Human Relations also provides education for the City’s anti-discrimination law. If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can submit an Intake Discrimination Complaint form online.
- The Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority (LDCHA) is a joint agency of the City and County governments with a mission to provide safe and affordable housing to Douglas County residents with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income. See application directions at How to Apply for (LDCHA) Housing
- Housing Stabilization Collaborative Rent Assistance Program: A community collaborative amongst local service agencies with funding available to low income individuals or families needing short-term rent assistance.
- Tenants to Homeowners (TTH) (www.tenants-to-homeowners.org) maintains affordable rental homes in Lawrence, Kansas for those with very low incomes (60% or less than the median income for Lawrence). TTH also operates a first time homebuyer program for persons who qualify.
- Independence, Inc. Accessible Housing Program
This grant program assists people with disabilities with low to moderate incomes living in the City of Lawrence, Kansas with needed accessibility modifications in their homes. Information and technical assistance is also provided to others planning accessibility improvements in their home or business.
Contact: Daniel Brown (dbrown@independenceinc.org)
Core Services Manager
785-841-0333 ext. 121