Pittsburgh, Penn – Elliot Frank, president of Autism Housing Development Corporation of Pittsburgh in Wexford has received federal tax credits and a loan for his housing project. Frank’s 20 year old son is on the autism spectrum and Frank has been working tirelessly to receive federal tax credits for housing for adults on the autism spectrum.
Frank began in 2011 with the goal of developing safe and affordable housing for those on the autism spectrum. At age 21 the special services and programs for those on the autism spectrum stop. According to the Department of Public Welfare in Pennsylvania there were 8,395 adults over 21 on the autism spectrum. This is projected to increase to 30,000 by the year 2020.
Tax credits from the federal government of 2.7 million dollars along with a loan for 1.5 million dollars from the Allegheny County Economic Development Agency has given his project a jump start. His project is estimated to cost 12 million dollars and hopes to be ready for residents in early 2016
The Heidelberg Apartments will consist of 34 one bedroom and 8 two bedroom apartments. Rents will be in the $600 to $700 range. They will be designed with a sensory garden and special lighting for the residents on the autism spectrum. It is the goal of everyone involved to integrate adults on the autism spectrum into the community and not keep them isolated.
The full report by Kaitlynn Riely in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette can be read here.