Finding the key: Using personal futures planning in the homeownership process

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Michael McCarthy,

Affiliations: Institute for Human Development, University of Missouri at Kansas City, MO 64108, USA

Note: [] For more information on this article, please contact Mr. Michael McCarthy ([email protected]) at the Institute for Human Development, 2220 Holmes, University of Missouri at Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. Tel.: +1 816 235 1745; Fax: +1 816 235 1762

Abstract: As professionals and policymakers gain a clearer understanding of the critical role choice and control play in people's lives, homeownership is increasingly being considered a desirable community housing option for people with disabilities. Personal futures planning (PFP) supports an individual's lifestyle choices and control. In addition, it is a grassroots planning and community-building effort that emphasizes team action planning to achieve desired outcomes. Because of these values and practices, PFP is a frequently proposed approach to working through the homeownership process with people with disabilities. This article uses a PFP framework to identify the steps, activities and key questions to be explored by interested homebuyers with the support and assistance of a team of their allies.

Keywords: homeownership, disabilities, personal futures planning

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 15, no. 2-3, pp. 81-90, 2000