Frequently Asked Questions

Hudson residents Chris and Patty Gurreri have teamed up with other Hudson parents who have one thing in common: a child with a developmental disability (autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy). Now that their children are young adults, they want fuller, more independent lives for them. Unfortunately, there are few, if any, options for families on this journey. They also want a solution to their gravest question: What will happen to my child when I’m gone? With these challenges in mind, the small group of parents has expanded, raising more than $6 million to date, to create an innovative, forward-thinking “community within a community” here in Hudson, where their adult children can share fellowship with others. The Hudson community is where their children grew up, made friends, and want to continue living.  Construction has started and we anticipate our first residents will be moving in in late 2024!

Presently, almost forty families are involved with this project to create an independent supported living environment for young adults with developmental disabilities.

Hudson Community Living is a Supportive Living environment beautifully designed as a “community within a community” off Oviatt Street on four acres of mostly undeveloped property adjacent to the Barlow Community Center. The small neighborhood will include cottage-like residences that will become home to as many as 32 young adults with developmental disabilities. The residences will be surrounded by pedestrian-friendly walking paths, lush landscaping and gardens, and a gazebo. There will be a resident clubhouse for dining and socializing, including a sports court, television/viewing and gaming room, staff offices and a conference room. The community is surrounded by a 25-foot landscape buffer and an aesthetically pleasing wood privacy fence and landscaping. Like any adult child who moves out of their parent’s home, our children want to continue to grow and remain connected to family. Parents and friends will stop by and visit and remain an integral part of their lives.

The community is located off Oviatt Street, adjacent to Barlow Community Center, on tree-lined property recently purchased for the purpose of building this safe, supported and accessible neighborhood for adults with developmental disabilities.

HCL has hired Peninsula Architects, with Hudson resident Joe Matava and Quinn MIller driving the project.

Long-term Hudson resident and former Hudson City Council President George Roth and his company Augere Construction are the developer/construction company. Augere was also the developer for Hudson Grande Senior Living.

We are all systems go on the project and construction is well on its way to become an incredible development for adults with developmental disabilities.

Most of the living units will have two bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms.  One unit will have four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Most residents will have one of the following diagnoses that lead often either to developmental delays and/or physical disabilities: autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome. or cerebral palsy. These often result in cognitive or physical disabilities.

We are committed to selecting residents who can comfortably live and thrive in our community. To that end, we have developed a very thorough qualification process that, among other screening tools, includes an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. The ISP outlines specific services and supports necessary for a person with developmental disabilities to remain healthy and safe during daily life. We assess for the resident’s move-in preparedness, ability to socialize and to integrate with others, independence, and growth opportunities, as well as the parent’s availability to volunteer time serving within the community. The application process includes a screening for any financial hurdles and a 3- to 6-month trial period that can be terminated by either Hudson Community Living or the resident. Additionally, we provide transition services for the resident and their family.

Yes, in multiple ways. First, we will have a full-time director and assistant director on-site each day. Additionally, we have partnered with Kent State University to have four students whose areas of study include developmental disabilities to serve as Resident Advisors (RAs) for Hudson Community Living and who will live on-site.  Each resident will also work directly with county and state social service representatives to have the appropriate one-to-one caregiver support needed to ensure safe and successful independent living.  Lastly, we will have multiple parents and guardians of residents who are required to volunteer a minimum number of hours per quarter to provide additional support to the community as needed.

Hudson Community Living is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, managed by a five-member volunteer board, an Advisory Council, and ten committees all consisting of Hudson residents, parents, and NEO business leaders and professional in the field of Developmental disabilities. The development is privately funded with more than $6 million already secured. Rental fees of $1,550 -$1650 per resident, per month will cover all operating expenses. Reaching our total fundraising goal of $10.8 million for the project will allow HCL to be debt free from the start. Moreover, a foundation is being established to raise additional funding to provide for hardship needs.

Yes, as part of living independently, residents are not limited. They can come and go freely. However, for the safety of our residents, we will have a sign-in/sign-out process.

Most of our residents already live in Hudson, having attended school here, and are current members of several community organizations. They are happy, healthy residents who, like each of us, want to live a full life with independence and dignity. In many cases, parents would enjoy having their adult child with them indefinitely. However, they must prepare for a time when they are no longer here—and transitional independent living is a difficult but necessary decision.

• Give monetary gifts to support the community. 

• Volunteer time and talents to contribute to the enrichment of the residents’ lives. 

• Pray for the community and its residents and families