MFOFC Housing Connections

is designed to help families communicate with other families with similar interests to find or create a

home for their loved one with a disability

Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change A statewide, grassroots coalition dedicated to individual and family support

www.mfofc.org

Established in January 2013, MFOFC Housing Connections is the first of its kind offered in New England.

It is our hope that this tool will serve as a key that opens doors of opportunity to help create an enriching life for

the individual. A life that is filled with valued friendships, real relationships, meaningful employment, community participation and the ideal living situation to call HOME.

http://www.mfofc-hc.org/housingconnections/

The 4 Step Housing Connections Process

STEP 1: REGISTRATIONThe family member or caregiver will create a Housing Connections Account by registering. Registration will initiate membership to MFOFC and Housing Connections and create a Profile. The Profile is the identity of the Member and will enable communication with other Members while maintaining privacy.

Complete the member agreement, and click SEND:

There is no charge to join Housing Connections. MFOFC welcomes all people interested in the issues we pursue. If you are not currently a member of MFOFC, registration to MFOFC Housing Connections will automatically initiate membership.

STEP 2: THE HOUSING CONNECTOR

STEP 2: THE HOUSING CONNECTOR (cont’d)

The Housing Connector tool starts with a series of questions that relate to the individual personally, daily living needs, financial and material support and other relevant information. The answers to these questions will enable Members to locate people with similar goals who may be compatible future housing mates.

Many families cannot or choose not to answer every question, which is OK.

The questionnaire is not designed to be exhaustive, but rather to be a starting point for finding potential housemates.

STEP 2: THE HOUSING CONNECTOR (cont’d)

STEP 2: THE HOUSING CONNECTOR (cont’d)We would encourage you to include some additional information under question 25; this can provide insight into the type of situation you seek.

Save your responses when you are done.

Answers to any of these 25 questions may change over time. You can change your answers at any time.

To Update your information, log in to your account and then click on the Questionnaire Tab in the Main Menu to display your existing responses. Make your changes and when complete, click “Save”.

STEP 3: SEARCH

STEP 3: SEARCH (cont’d)

Click the Housing Connector Tab in the Main Menu to screen for matches:

STEP 3: SEARCH (cont’d)The Key Factors are filters to help you narrow your search of potential matches. Choose the Key Factor(s) most important to you and click “Search”:

STEP 4: COMMUNICATION

Either download or email your matches:

STEP 4: COMMUNICATION (cont’d)Open the file in a spreadsheet:

For those unfamiliar with Excel, this basic tutorial video may be of help.

*This video is also on the Housing Connections Resources page (FAQs)

The column titles are on the top. Each row represents a member’s questionnaire response.

Re-sizing the columns may make them easier to read:

Freezing the column and row headings is also helpful.Highlight cell B2, and click on “Freeze Panes” under the “View” tab in Excel. This will keep the column headings and email addresses in place as you scroll through the information.

Look through the information for possible matches. The “Additional Information” (last column), if used, can be particularly

insightful.

Use the masked email addresses in column A to contact possible matches.

Using the Information:Refer to the Housing Connections Resources page. Here you will find a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs), housing related publications and links to additional resources.

“Ideas can be life-changing. Sometimes all you need to open the door is just one more

good idea.” Jim Rohn

Thank you for your interest in Housing Connections. We welcome your feedback and invite you to send your comments or questions to: [email protected]

Upgrade to the Housing Connector Tool http://www.mfofc-hc.org/housingconnections/

was made possible with a grant from the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities

Council (MDDC).