What does it take to bring different needs, supports, and people together under one roof? 

The Lou Fruitman Reena Residence offers a compelling case study. Built around Reena’s Intentional Community model, the residence brings people with developmental disabilities together with housing, service providers, families and community partners. This session explores how those partnerships work in practice, from defining roles and accountability to navigating building design, regulatory requirements and day-to-day operations. 

Reena leaders involved in the project will be joined by a speaker with lived experience, offering a firsthand look at how the model works from both sides of the housing experience. Together, presenters will share lessons from developing and operating the residence, including the challenges, decisions and approaches that have shaped the model. 

Join us to explore: 

• Building effective partnerships: How housing providers, service agencies, families and funders can structure relationships, clarify roles and responsibilities, manage risk, and align housing and tenant supports through leases, service agreements and other operational tools. 
• Designing for inclusion and flexibility: How building design and regulatory considerations, including B3 Building Code requirements and care occupancies, shape the ability to accommodate diverse and evolving needs, with lessons from both new development and existing buildings. 
• Supporting changing needs: Practical approaches to aging-in-place, evolving care needs and the day-to-day realities of operating an inclusive community. 

Leave with practical lessons for developing more inclusive housing and building stronger partnerships around tenant needs. 

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