In this interview on *Bluff City Life*, Earle Schwarz, Executive Director of Intunity Homes, discusses the organization’s mission to provide affordable, accessible housing for low-income individuals with disabilities. Intunity Homes was created following litigation challenging the conditions at the Arlington Developmental Center in Tennessee. Over time, the State came to realize that best practices involved housing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community placements, not large institutions. Intunity was created to help meet the need for quality community housing.
Schwarz highlights the challenges his organization faces, particularly in acquiring affordable homes post-COVID. Although Intunity Homes is non-profit, they still need to manage costs while providing housing at below-market rental rates. For instance, in Memphis, the rent for a three-bedroom house is $885, which is typically split between two or three tenants.
He also explains how the living arrangements vary depending on the needs of the residents, with some individuals living alone while others share homes to reduce costs. Intunity Homes currently owns 37 houses, spread across Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee, and works to make the homes comfortable and accommodating for the specific disabilities of the residents.
Additionally, Schwarz mentions ongoing discussions with the state to expand their services into the senior housing market, offering affordable housing to low-income seniors.
Watch the entire interview on Memphis Tennessee’s ActionNews 5 website here.
