Twenty-two Additional Permanent Supportive Housing Units for Individuals with Neurological Deficits

Accessible Space, Incorporated (ASI), known nationwide for their work providing accessible affordable housing for people with disabilities, will be building 22 additional units of permanent supportive housing for individuals with acquired brain injury, traumatic brain injury or neurological impairments on the new Spencer Street Campus of the Nevada Community Enrichment Program (NCEP). A minimum of five units will be set aside for individuals who are medically fragile and are chronically homeless. NCEP, a program of ASI, is the only nonprofit, post-acute brain injury rehabilitation center in Nevada. The program currently has 8 units at its Charleston Campus facility but currently must turn down 4 out of 5 referrals because of lack of space. 

Individuals who've had a stroke or traumatic brain injury usually make up the bulk of the clients in NCEP. Many individuals with neurological impairments from motor vehicle accidents, falls, brain cancer, encephalitis and tumors are also treated. Clients must be medically stable in order to enter the program. Clients live in private individual units with their own kitchen and bathroom facilities. NCEP finds that individual units provide a living situation which is best suited to prepare clients for independent living.

NCEP provides full support services and intensive therapy for up to six hours a day. Individuals with brain injuries and neurological deficits require individualized treatment plans. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, cognitive retraining, counseling, vocational services, medical management, and social services are provided as needed to meet goals set by the clients themselves for community re-entry and return to independent living. Ninety-percent of NCEP clients are able to return to living in the community. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Funding for building the new units comes from program income from Clark County's Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Nevada Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  Some operating costs will be defrayed by a grant from Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division. United Healthcare is also a community partner providing a loan to assist their Medicaid members with community reintegration and supported living. This funding will help NCEP charge lower rates. According to NCEP director Jerry Kappeler, not only will these additional 22 units allow more Nevadans to be treated near their home, but the services typically cost up to 45% less than out-of-state services many clients currently must use. Mr. Kappeler points out additional savings for the Nevada Medicaid program occur when, through intensive treatment, clients become independent.  Clients in skilled nursing facilities may not be able to regain as much independence as clients in the intensive NCEP rehabilitation program. Hospital readmittance rates for clients are 8% for the NCEP program as compared to 36% for clients who have suffered a brain injury nationally. In addition, NCEP currently serves many homeless and near homeless individuals with neurological deficits through the Continuum of Care as well as in its Charleston campus. When chronic homeless individuals with neurological deficits become housed and are able to be more independent, typically far fewer expensive community services such as emergency room visits are needed. 

Construction began in late August 2019 with completion expected in October 2020. The NCEP Spencer Street Campus will be located at 4144 Spencer Street in Las Vegas near Desert Springs Hospital.