This workshop will examine how inclusive housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families is created, highlighting the many moving parts that make these projects possible. 

Panelists, including service providers, housing developers, and a resident, will share their perspectives on how affordable housing combined with the right supportive services can be successfully developed and sustained. They will touch on the overall process, the benefits of IDD-inclusive properties, and the importance of community input. Our resident panelist will share his lived experience as someone who once faced eviction and is now thriving in an IDD set-aside unit, highlighting how housing coordination played a critical role in his housing journey. 

We will reflect on lessons learned from successful projects in SMC and explore how these projects can be replicated to ensure that more developments include preference or set-aside units for individuals with IDD, allowing them to be fully included in our communities. 

Moderator

Gia Pham, Communications Coordinator, Housing Choice

Gia is the Communications Coordinator at Housing Choices, a nonprofit founded by parent advocates that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in securing and retaining affordable housing. She champions the inclusion of people with IDD in city and county housing discussions, emphasizing the intersections of disability, homelessness, and racial equity. By engaging directly with the IDD community in her day-to-day work, she mobilizes advocates with lived experience, amplifies their voices, and strives to create impactful policy changes that improve housing access for those with disabilities.

Speakers

Mollie Naber, Director of Housing Development, MidPen Housing 

As Director of Housing Development at MidPen Housing, Mollie leads a team stewarding affordable housing development in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, San Francisco and Alameda counties. Mollie has worked at MidPen for 7 years and is based in MidPen’s Foster City office.

Sean Galvin, Director of Community Services, Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC)

As Director of Community Services at Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) Sean oversees GGRC’s housing initiatives. He has secured more than $10.5 million in Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) funding to launch 37 projects, including efforts to expand affordable, inclusive housing for individuals with developmental disabilities. Sean also supports the development of innovative housing models that provide individuals with the support they need to thrive in their communities. He is committed to addressing regional housing shortages through strong partnerships and equitable solutions.

Gregg Docking, Self Advocate, GGRC Consumer

Gregg is a GGRC consumer and Housing Choices client who proudly calls Baden Station home. He is just beginning his self-advocacy journey, speaking up for himself and others in the IDD community. This is Gregg’s first time on a housing justice panel, and he’s excited to take this step, meet new people, and learn how to get more involved in advocacy efforts. Gregg currently works at Homebridge, and in his free time, he’s an avid RPG gamer who loves teaming up for epic quests and is now bringing that same spirit of teamwork to the fight for housing equity.