Council approves housing for individuals with disabilities

STEVENS POINT- At the June 16 common council meeting, the council approved an agreement for Door2Dreams to begin constructing a housing community for residents with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). The housing will be located on the empty parcel of land next to the former Sisters of St. Joseph Convent (presently Berkshire at The Grove apartments) on the corner of Maria Drive and Union Street.
Door2Dreams is a non-profit organization based in Wisconsin that aims to create independent housing options for IDD individuals, helping them to live, thrive and work in their community.
Mark Peterson, board member for Door2Dreams, has been working with other local parents and advocates to bring this housing community to life since March of 2020.
“They approached us for help and launched this project on March 9, 2020, right before the world shut down with the pandemic,” said Jenny Riggenbach, CEO of the Community Foundation. “Now here we are, five years later, and they have 176 donors ranging from $10 to six-figure gifts.”
The housing development is designed to fill a very specific need in the local community. “We simply don’t have enough housing for our IDD students and residents here in Stevens Point,” said Peterson. “Housing provides the foundation for them, and it’s very hard to thrive without a strong foundation.”

Their solution to this lack of specialized housing is a new community built especially for those with disabilities. The land will be developed to include apartments and townhomes that can be rented, small homes that can be purchased, and a community center to host gatherings and programs for the residents.
“In Wisconsin, 26% of those on long-term social security for disabilities are living at home with a caregiver over 60 years old,” said Peterson. “That’s a challenge, because the individuals with IDD are robbed of the opportunity to gain independence by moving out on their own and learning those life skills.”
Door2Dreams hopes to begin construction on the parcel of land next spring for this housing community.