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By John R. Merlino Jr. Esq.
Founding Attorney

There are plenty of reasons why people consider buying a home on Staten Island. And now there’s another very unique one.

Staten Island may be a model not just for New York, but for the nation to follow when it comes to ideas and pilot programs for finding housing opportunities for adults with disabilities. As estate planning attorneys who help clients provide for their special needs children, these programs may ease many of their worries.

Two separate but similar plans are being considered to ease the overwhelming state-wide burden of the housing shortage for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The first is a pilot program conceived through the joint efforts of the New York Library’s special-needs program coordinator (a special needs mom herself) and the lifestyle and engagement director at an assisted living facility called The Brielle, which is reportedly operating at far less than full occupancy.

The proposed program would enable parent caretakers of adult children with disabilities to move in to the facility – and bring their adult special needs child to live with them there—a concept that may well be the first of its kind.

All the amenities of the assisted living facility, including housekeeping, on-staff medical care, laundry, therapy, and in-house recreational programs would be available to both parent and adult child who would co-habit in a private room together. Then when the parent dies, the adult child can continue to live there in the familiar and supportive surroundings. This unique program would be a godsend for parent caretakers whose biggest worry is often who will care for their disabled child after they’re gone or after they are no longer able to take care of them.

A second idea for housing adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities involves creating a community residence of attached or semi-attached homes with 24/7 centrally-located support staff, possibly on the former Seaview Hospital grounds. “Community feelers” about both possible programs have been well-received and are just another reason why Staten Island real estate continues to be so desirable.

If you are interested in buying a home on Staten Island or anywhere else in New York or New Jersey, the attorneys at Merlino & Gonzalez can help you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

From our offices in Staten Island, New York, and East Brunswick, New Jersey, we represent clients in both states in all matters of commercial and real estate law as well as estate planning and estate administration.

About the Author
John is a fierce advocate and the office guru for problem-solving and brainstorming. He guides clients through every stage of a real estate transaction from offer to contract, navigating through nerve-shattering home inspection and title clearance concerns, maintaining constant contact with lenders, conducting the actual closing, and continuing to advise clients with regard to any post-closing concerns.  John brings a practical and fair-minded approach to the process which has earned him the respect of his clients and peers.