LifeQuest proposes six-unit "mini-home" village for adults with developmental disabilities, seeks CDBG funding

Mitchell — LifeQuest representatives presented a plan March 3 to build a small cluster of homes for adults with developmental disabilities on property north of Eighth Avenue and north Gamble Street, and said they will request community-development block grant funding at the council's next meeting.

Brian Loken, who said he represents LifeQuest, described a proposal for four to six smaller detached homes (about 650—6 to 750 square feet each) that would give residents private kitchens and living spaces and a front door of their own. Pam Hannah, LifeQuest executive director, said the project aims to expand housing options currently available to the organization's clients and to create a new model for small-home support in the state.

Hannah described a staffing model with on-site staff during waking hours and remote-technology monitoring overnight to respond to falls, seizures or other emergencies while preserving resident privacy; she said cameras would not be used in private bathrooms or bedrooms. LifeQuest said the project has strong support from the state Division of Developmental Disabilities and that the group plans to seek Community Development Block Grant dollars for construction; an application overview will be presented on March 17.

The project is at the conceptual stage and LifeQuest said it has signed an architect and will return with formal land and grant requests through the normal permitting and funding channels. Council members thanked LifeQuest for the presentation and indicated support; no binding council action was taken at the March 3 meeting.