Show notes
Welcome to Accessible Housing Matters! In today’s episode, I welcome Nicholas Love Nicholas Love is the Community Inclusion Director at the World Institute on Disability (WID). WID strives to eliminate the barriers to full inclusion of people with disabilities by addressing and influencing policies, systems, and tools. Nicholas’ work at WID focuses on the identification, creation, and utilization of technology, training, technical assistance, and tools that drive and respond to US policies that direct systems change. One of Nicholas’ main projects at WID is the management of Housing Benefits 101 (www.mn.hb.101.org) and Disability Benefits 101 (www.db101.org). Nicholas’s passion is education on diversity and equality. He has been speaking on and fighting for disability issues as a national speaker and advocate for diversity and social justice for over 25 years. He is a Certified Work Incentive Coordinator and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner with a degree in Holistic Healthcare. Nicholas likes to combine knowledge and entertainment to change cultural perceptions. Listen to find out more about: [00:01 - 01:45] Opening Segment I welcome Nicholas Love to the Show Bio Nicholas shares what he does at WID [01:46 - 26:20] One-Stop Web Portal What is HB 101? Helping people with where they want to live and how they want to live Disability Benefits 101 (DB 101) How HB 101 deals with your housing needs Your one-stop web portal in accessible housing Is HB 101 replacing one-one-one personal conversations on housing needs? Minnesota’s support and The Hub Just how many users are using HB 101? Early challenges and the relationship building Why Minnesota is exceptional What is The Hub? Helping people understand they have a right to live the life they want The aging society’s impact in accessible housing and HB 101 Influencing the country Nicholas talks about universal design in housing verus the medical model Where Nicholas’ passion comes from “My disability is part of who I am.” What's next for HB 101 and for inclusive housing? Now is the time for people with disabilities to step forward, roll forward, move forward [26:21 - 29:09] Closing Segment See links below to know more about Nicholas Love Final word Tweetable Quote/s: “Housing isn't just about the four walls, it becomes the true community integration.” - Nicholas Love “When we have people moving out of congregated settings into true community inclusion, we have such a better community. It's a full, whole community.” - Nicholas Love “You can't have the perfect accessible house in the middle of a desert where you can't do anything but stay within those four walls.” - Nicholas Love You can connect with Nicholas through [email protected] or LinkedIn. Visit the following: The World Institute on Disability Housing Benefits 101 (HB101) helps people in Minnesota who need affordable housing and supports to maintain that housing. It helps them to understand the range of housing options and support services available. HB101 can help people make choices about where they want to live. It can also help people figure out a long-term housing plan that works for them, and the steps to move toward their housing goals. To learn more, share feedback, or share guest ideas, please visit our website, or contact us on Facebook and Twitter. Like what you've heard? Please review us! That helps let other people know about the podcast. Accessible Housing Matters is dedicated to raising awareness about important issues around accessibility and housing, and getting conversations going. I'd love to learn more about what's on your mind, and get your feedback about the show. Contact me directly at [email protected] to share your thoughts or arrange a call.