Our Model
What is Bridge21 Park City?
Bridge21 is a scattered community housing project that addresses the accessibility needs of individuals with Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (A/I/DD) in Summit County.
The initial house will open in 2025, providing accessible housing for four neurodivergent individuals, and expanding to additional properties in the next few years.
B21’s key differentiator is addressing the affordable, cognitively accessible, long-term housing needs of our population while also providing the supportive amenities and services that will allow this population to live independently.
Bridge21 Park City Founding Principles
We believe Park City and Summit County are ready to build a more inclusive community, and B21 seeks to create a network of bridges connecting individuals with disabilities to local housing.
Ultimately, B21 aims to build a Neuro-inclusive Co-Housing neighborhood.
A strong and well-rounded environment will embrace residents with compatible and complementary interests and skills. This diversity will create an environment with opportunities for all residents to find friends and gain greater self-confidence.
Create active resident involvement in their home, neighborhood, and surrounding communities:
Bridge21 will encourage families, city officials, merchants, community volunteers, and neighbors to develop opportunities for meaningful interaction with the residents of Bridge21.
The aim is to make all levels of community engagement available to residents.
Bridge21 will provide access to productive enriching choices that support a life with purpose: Our fulltime program coordinator will manage household schedule, enrichment activities, communication, safe and comfortable physical environment, personal resident independent living goals and transportation needs.
Offer the opportunity for long-term residency:
Most current housing options for people with autism are privately owned and run the risk, like any business, of closing when owners pass away or retire.
Bridge21 is a nonprofit corporation with a Board of Directors that will change and renew over time allowing the nonprofit corporation to exist for years to come. Many parents of adults with autism and other disabilities worry about what will happen to their son or daughter when they as parents are no longer able to care for them. Bridge21 seeks to provide the opportunity to have continuity of housing for a resident long term. *
*Successful living at Bridge21 Park City long term, require compliance with Lease Agreement and the Community Rules.
View the Housing Needs being Addressed by B21
- Housing: Neurodivergent individuals need housing. Autism After 21: First Findings of a Utah Review and Toolkits for Autism reports that 61% of survey respondents indicated this is their greatest need. B21’s Market Analysis indicates 46% of all respondents and 35% of self-advocates want to live with housemates who have a disability, while 62% fear that they will have to live in a group home.
- Affordable Housing: Inside Park City Real Estate reports the median house price at $2.1 million. Zillow reports the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment at $2,200/month. Bridge21 rates are significantly cheaper.
- Desired Housing Features: Respondents to B21’s Market Analysis shared the physical amenities that are most important to them in a residence, including features that increase accessibility for neurodivergent individuals.
- Belonging & Friendship: Loneliness is a crisis in the United States for the general population, yet rates of loneliness are up to four times higher in individuals with autism than in the general population, leading to serious physical and mental health complications, including high blood pressure, blood disease, obesity, anxiety, depression, memory issues, and even death. Seventy-seven percent of Summit County respondents reported their largest concern as “I will be lonely or isolated, and 47% indicated that they “do not have friends to do things with.
Park City Housing Marketing Analysis Report
Bridge21 hired neuro-inclusive Housing Solutions to conduct this market study and analysis to determine the need for special needs housing in our community.
Autism specific design is the leading standard in the industry for neuroinclusive housing
Bridge21 property was specifically designed with a keen focus on the unique needs and characteristics of adults with neurodiversity.
After conducting extensive interviews and research, Bridge21 learned that living in a home that is designed to take into consideration particular needs will enhance the comfort and quality of life for adults with neurodiversity.
Accommodate residents across a broad financial spectrum:
As a community that celebrates diversity, Bridge21 believes that socioeconomic differences among residents are important.
Bridge21 may have subsidies available depending on funding.