Delaware’s housing crisis is often discussed in terms of affordability. But an overlooked population is facing an urgent challenge: housing for adults with disabilities remains severely limited, leaving many dependent on aging parents without a long-term plan for care.

75% of adults with IDD in Delaware still live with their parents, and nearly 30% of those caregivers are over 60— higher than the national average ratio. Families are struggling to secure long-term stability with few residential options and a shortage of direct support professionals (DSPs).

“When your child is in school, they have structured services and supports,” said Liz O’Neill, President of A-Team Delaware, an advocacy non-profit. “But once they turn 21, those services disappear, leaving families to navigate a fragmented system—especially when it comes to housing.”

Key Findings:

Housing Shortages: Delaware lacks a comprehensive housing plan for adults with IDD, making long-term care plans particularly uncertain.
Less Support After Age 21: Structured support significantly wanes after individuals complete high school, leaving families without clear options.
Caregiver Struggles: Many parents shoulder the full burden of care at a high personal and financial cost.
Workforce Shortages: DSPs are underpaid and in short supply, worsening the caregiving crisis.

Looking for Solutions

Advocates are calling for a statewide housing plan to secure long-term solutions for adults with IDD. Key proposals include:

Expanding Medicaid waiver programs to increase residential support.
Raising DSP wages to attract and retain caregivers.
Developing flexible housing models tailored to IDD needs.
Collecting better data to assess housing demand and service gaps.

Other states have pioneered innovative housing models that could serve as blueprints for Delaware’s aging caregiver population, such as:

A New Jersey provider sustaining a mixed-use affordable housing model for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
A Connecticut provider fostering a lifelong supported living community for neurodiverse individuals.

With no significant legislative action underway, A-Team Delaware is campaigning directly to lawmakers. On May 20, the group will gather at the Delaware State Capitol for its annual Legislative Advocacy Day to push for policy changes addressing the adult IDD housing crisis.

Sources:
WHYY: https://whyy.org/articles/delaware-adults-intellectual-developmental-disabilities-housing/
A-Team Delaware: https://www.ateamde.org/