Disability Housing Emerges as Niche Market
A significant and underserved market exists for accessible housing for adults with developmental disabilities, according to a recent podcast episode featuring Emily Kendall of Empower Me Living. Mission-driven developers are working to address the crisis, creating opportunities in project management and real estate development where private capital can meet a public need.
- The housing affordability gap for adults with disabilities is substantial; 4.1 million individuals on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cannot afford a modest apartment in any U.S. housing market. In some high-cost areas, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is more than 142% of an individual's entire SSI income. - Federal programs create a tangible market for these projects; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 811 program, for instance, provides interest-free capital advances to non-profits to construct supportive housing. This funding can cover construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of properties, creating specific opportunities for developers and construction firms. - For business majors, common entry points into construction management include roles like "Project Engineer" (PE) or "Assistant Project Manager." These positions focus on the business aspects of construction, such as budgeting, scheduling, and processing change orders, leveraging financial tracking skills learned in business programs. - Hiring managers in construction value transferable business skills like communication, time management, budgeting, and leadership. Highlighting experience in managing deadlines, collaborating with teams, and overseeing financial aspects of projects can be an effective interview strategy for candidates without direct construction experience. - The B2B sales track in this sector involves selling construction materials or services to developers, architects, and general contractors who build these specialized housing projects. This role requires strong relationship-building and negotiation skills to manage long sales cycles for high-value projects. - Large general contractors that often compete for projects of this scale include Turner Construction, Skanska, and Kiewit, among others. Researching the "careers" or "projects" section of their websites can reveal entry-level positions and company focus areas.
