Rochester Hills, Mich. – A groundbreaking initiative is reshaping the landscape of independent living for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oakland County, Michigan. Two new neuroinclusive neighborhoods, Auburn Oaks and Walton Oaks, are under development in Rochester Hills, offering a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities to achieve homeownership and for their families to find peace of mind. These communities, which foster an environment of inclusion for both neurotypical and neurodivergent residents, represent a rare and vital step forward in addressing a significant unmet housing need.
The recent June 4th groundbreaking ceremony for Auburn Oaks, a $25 million development, drew dozens of supporters, highlighting the community’s strong backing for this innovative housing model. Auburn Oaks will feature 55 homes, comprising a diverse mix of condominiums, single-family residences, and townhomes. Crucially, 17 condominiums and two single-family homes within the development are specifically designated for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The remaining homes will be available to neurotypical buyers who are enthusiastic about embracing an inclusive living environment. Construction is progressing with a projected move-in date for residents in 2027.
This venture marks a significant expansion of neuroinclusive communities in Michigan. Auburn Oaks is the third such neighborhood in the state and the second to be established in Rochester Hills, underscoring the city’s commitment to fostering diverse and supportive residential options.
A Growing Movement: The Genesis of Neuroinclusive Communities
The concept of neuroinclusive neighborhoods is not entirely new to Michigan, but it remains a relatively scarce model nationwide, with fewer than 100 such communities documented across the United States. The pioneering spirit behind these developments in Michigan can be largely attributed to Three Oaks Community Builders, a Plymouth-based firm founded by seasoned developers William J. Godfrey, John E. Zdanowski, and Bruce A. Michael.
The success of prior Three Oaks projects provides a strong foundation for the current initiatives. Maple Oaks in Saline, the first of these neuroinclusive neighborhoods in Michigan, was developed between 2017 and 2022 at an estimated cost of $10 million. This sold-out community comprises 34 homes, with eight specifically allocated for adults with disabilities, their families, and caregivers, or for families with school-aged children with disabilities. The remaining 26 homes were purchased by neurotypical buyers who actively chose to be part of this inclusive environment. Initial home prices at Maple Oaks ranged from $180,000 to $250,000, with available discounts and grants designed to assist individuals with disabilities in their homeownership journey.
Rochester Hills’ first foray into this model, Walton Oaks, is currently under construction and represents a $10 million investment. This development will consist of 11 single-family homes, with three of these homes featuring up to four suites specifically designed to accommodate residents with disabilities. Three Oaks officials have indicated that the initial residents of Walton Oaks are expected to move in by the end of the current year, bringing this project to fruition ahead of Auburn Oaks.
Addressing a Critical Housing Gap
William J. Godfrey, a co-founder of Three Oaks Community Builders, addressed a slight misstatement made at the Auburn Oaks groundbreaking, clarifying that the $35 million figure mentioned represented the total projected cost for both Rochester Hills projects, rather than just Auburn Oaks. He emphasized that the creation of neuroinclusive neighborhoods is a complex undertaking, requiring a synergistic blend of funding from public, private, and nonprofit sectors, alongside unwavering advocacy.
"This is a housing need that’s been overlooked in almost every state in the country," Godfrey stated, highlighting the critical importance of homeownership as a stable alternative to renting for individuals with disabilities. He explained that rental properties are subject to sale, which can force residents with disabilities into precarious and often frantic searches for new housing, disrupting their lives and support systems.
Quantifying the precise need for such housing is challenging due to the diverse and individualized requirements of people with disabilities. While some individuals can live independently, drive, and maintain traditional employment, others require daily care and assistance with managing medical and financial affairs. Lynn Sutfin, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, noted the difficulty in establishing an exact count of individuals living with disabilities, particularly those who are not actively engaged with agency services. "If they are not known and/or utilizing agency services, then we have no way to track them," Sutfin explained. "There is no system at the state or national level addressing the exact number of people with (disabilities)."
Despite these tracking challenges, available data provides some perspective. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that approximately 1.58% of Americans live with a significant disability. Based on this figure and the 2024 Census projections, Michigan is estimated to have around 160,219 residents with disabilities, with Oakland County accounting for an estimated 20,491. When considering individuals receiving state support for their disabilities, Michigan has just over 49,000 residents, and Oakland County has 4,771 individuals of all ages receiving such support.
Parent-Led Initiatives and Community Collaboration
The impetus behind these developments is deeply rooted in the personal experiences of parents seeking secure and fulfilling futures for their adult children with disabilities. Dave Mingle, who joined Three Oaks as a managing partner, co-founded the nonprofit Rochester Housing Solutions with his wife, Heather Mingle. Their motivation stemmed from a desire for their adult son, who has autism, to live an independent life in his own home, rather than relying on traditional group home or adult foster care models. The Mingles are part of a growing movement of parent-led initiatives dedicated to establishing dedicated neighborhoods that provide robust support for residents with disabilities.
"We found the housing options that simply were not acceptable for our children with disabilities," Dave Mingle recounted, explaining the founding of Rochester Housing Solutions five years prior, in response to the limited and often inadequate housing choices available. These neuroinclusive neighborhoods are characterized by their collaborative nature, bringing together families, developers, nonprofit organizations, and other community partners.
The financial architecture of Auburn Oaks exemplifies this collaborative spirit. Funding for the project is derived from a multifaceted array of sources, including the county’s Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), Community Housing Network, Three Oaks Communities, Rochester Housing Solutions, F&M Bank, First State Bank, and private equity partners. The Oakland County Housing Trust Fund has made a significant contribution of $1.5 million through a low-interest loan at 1% to facilitate the acquisition of the land.
A Vision of Independence and Inclusion
Gerry Seizert, a resident of Bloomfield Hills, embarked on a nationwide quest to find a community where his daughter, Laurel, 45, could achieve maximum independence. This search intensified after the passing of his wife in 2018. Seizert’s paramount concern is ensuring Laurel has her own home within a supportive and inclusive community that will provide her with sustained care and belonging long after he is no longer able to do so. He expressed profound gratitude that his daughter will soon be a resident of Rochester Hills.
"When you come together as a community, in compassion and mutual respect, things happen," Seizert reflected. "It’s not about building houses, but that’s part of it. It’s about what happens after."
Kirsten Elliott, President and CEO of Community Housing Network, identified a significant barrier to stable housing for individuals with disabilities: their frequent association with low-income households. Community Housing Network actively addresses this challenge by offering comprehensive programs, including homebuyer education, rental assistance, financial literacy classes, and support services for landlords.
In February, the housing network launched a pilot program designed to provide grants to developers and prospective homebuyers. This initiative is bolstered by a $1.7 million grant from MSHDA. Half of these funds are earmarked for multifamily rental projects, while the remaining half is dedicated to homeownership development grants and down-payment assistance. This MSHDA grant is currently supporting four nonprofit organizations, including the two Rochester Hills developments. It also aids the Grand Rapids-based Genesis Nonprofit Housing Corporation’s 48-unit Heron Woods project, which will offer eight low-income units for individuals with disabilities, and Samaritas’ 46-unit Froebel Place development in Muskegon, which will include two low-income units.
Amy Hovey, Executive Director of MSHDA, shared her inspiration for the pilot program, stemming from "eye-opening conversations with parents worried about their children’s futures." She reached out to Kirsten Elliott to collaborate on creating this vital initiative. "I’m happy that we can play a small part in making this a reality," Hovey remarked during the Auburn Oaks groundbreaking ceremony.
Elliott, who is also a parent of a son with cerebral palsy, articulated the shared anxieties of many parents regarding their children’s safety and well-being in the future. "I know the challenges of getting housing and… the peace of mind that is needed for our families," she stated, emphasizing the profound emotional and practical relief these communities offer.
The vision for these inclusive neighborhoods has garnered strong support at the local government level. The Rochester Hills city council unanimously approved the plans for both Walton Oaks and Auburn Oaks, according to Council President Jason Carlock. "It reflects what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose," Carlock commented.
However, Elliott acknowledged that the financial feasibility of such projects hinges on "layers of funding" from a diverse range of foundations, banks, and financial institutions, as the upfront costs can be substantial. For instance, one Walton Oaks home, situated at 193 Peregrine St., is listed with a price tag of $879,999. This residence will feature three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a three-car garage. Elliott clarified that while construction costs are fixed, grants and other funding mechanisms are in place to significantly reduce the purchase price for individuals with disabilities and their families. The listing indicates the price is subject to change, with an estimated monthly payment of $5,669 based on a 20% down payment, a 30-year fixed-interest mortgage at 6.574%, and a $350 monthly HOA fee. This particular home is slated for occupancy in 2027.
Economic Viability and Future Expansion
Contrary to potential reservations, Godfrey asserts that the perceived risk of neuroinclusive neighborhoods negatively impacting property values is unfounded. "Too many homebuilders won’t attempt a neuroinclusive neighborhood project because they think it will hurt the value of the homes. But the evidence is the opposite," he stated. Data from Maple Oaks supports this claim. In 2021, a Maple Oaks home listed for $349,000 sold for $361,098. Four years later, the same property was listed at $415,000 and sold for $414,000, representing a remarkable 15% increase in value. In comparison, the combined single-family and condo median home price in Washtenaw County was an estimated $456,000 at the end of May, a notable increase from $401,900 at the end of May 2022, according to the listing service RealComp.
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter expressed his hope that such blended communities will flourish, not only within Oakland County but across the entire state of Michigan. "I hope to see blended communities sprout, not just across Oakland County but across the state of Michigan," Coulter remarked at the Auburn Oaks groundbreaking.
Three Oaks Community Builders is actively expanding its reach beyond Michigan. The firm has partnered with iStrive Community to develop Magnolia Oaks in Middletown Township, New Jersey. This will not be New Jersey’s inaugural neuroinclusive neighborhood; a 32-unit community called Thrive in Red Bank is already under construction, a collaboration between the nonprofit Parents with a Plan and the Rutgers Center of Adult Autism Services. Karen Fluharty, founder of Parents with a Plan, echoed the sentiment of many parents, seeking assurance that her neurodivergent son could own a home within a supportive ecosystem.
While the outlook for these projects is largely positive, challenges can arise. Three Oaks had previously collaborated with the parent-run nonprofit Compass Community Collaborative on an ambitious $90 million, 280-unit condominium project, Canton Oaks, in Canton Township. Despite receiving unanimous approval from township trustees in December, Compass officials announced on June 1st that Three Oaks had notified them the project would not proceed. Godfrey described the decision as "heartbreaking," attributing it to financial non-viability. "We put a lot of blood, sweat, tears, time and money into Canton Oaks and it was just, unfortunately, not financially viable," he stated, while affirming his continued commitment to assisting the families involved in finding alternative, smaller-scale neighborhood solutions.
The development of neuroinclusive communities represents a significant stride toward a more equitable and supportive housing market, offering not just homes, but also dignity, independence, and peace of mind to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
