Sherry Manning, Executive Director of the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, was instrumental in development of the first online housing locator in Nevada. She serves on the NVHousingSearch advisory board has been very helpful with providing outreach opportunities. Below she gives some history on a previous housing locator program and the bill passed to support it.

• Could you describe a little bit about the history of the Nevada housing locator and your involvement with it?

The Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD) hired a Housing Development staff position in 2005 specifically to identify needs and barriers for persons with developmental disabilities to live in the community.  Connecting persons with developmental disabilities to affordable and accessible housing was  identified as a barrier.  In researching best practices in other states, Massachusetts Housing Registry was identified as a valuable internet tool to connect persons in need of affordable/accessible housing.  The NGCDD awarded a grant to United Way of Southern Nevada to update data and maintain the Nevada Housing Registry (a product of Massachusetts) that was established by the NGCDD.  In order to provide sustainability for the Nevada Housing Registry, Legislation was introduced and passed in the 2009 Legislative Session creating NRS 319.267.

• What does the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities do?

The Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD) is funded through a formula grant authorized under Subtitle B of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. 

The purpose of the NGCDD, as defined by statute, is to engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family centered, consumer and family directed, comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life.

The NGCDD utilizes strategies such as training, educating policy makers and communities, coalition development, barrier elimination, and demonstration of new approaches to service to meet the mandated purpose. These strategies are incorporated into a five-year State Plan that includes, and is based on, a comprehensive review and analysis of services, supports, and other assistance in the State available to individuals with developmental disabilities.

• How does your job intersect with housing?   

Housing is an identified area of emphasis in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000.   The lack of affordable/accessible housing in Nevada has been identified as a barrier for persons with developmental disabilities to live in the community rather than an institutionalized setting.     

• What types of housing needs do you see in your job serving people with developmental disabilities?  

Affordable/Accessible

• Is there any additional service you would like to see NVHousingSearch develop?

Continue building on the list of accessible/affordable housing available through the NVHousingSearch.