FAQ

Residents must be 18 years of age or older and demonstrate the ability to live semi-independently, with the appropriate level of support.

Coral Reef is designed for adults who are capable of living in their own apartment while benefiting from support and resources when needed. In general, this means a resident can:

• Live in and care for their own private apartment.
• Manage many daily routines, such as personal hygiene, preparing simple meals, taking medications, and light housekeeping.
• Come and go with a meaningful degree of independence and autonomy.
• Participate in personal budgeting and financial decisions, with support or periodic check-ins as appropriate.
• Participate in work, education, community activities, or day programming with a reasonable degree of independence.
• Recognize when they need assistance and communicate with the Coral Reef team when support is needed.
  
  

Each prospective resident will be evaluated individually to ensure Coral Reef is an appropriate and supportive living environment for them.

Yes, there is an interest list of prospective residents. For more information about the admissions process, please visit liveatcoralreef.com/admissions.

Coral Reef is designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and other forms of neurodiversity who are capable of living semi-independently but benefit from a supportive, intentionally designed community.

Because Coral Reef is an independent-living community—not a licensed treatment facility, group home, or secured behavioral health setting—it may not be appropriate for an individual whose needs include ongoing, intensive supervision or intervention because they pose a significant and immediate risk of serious harm to themselves or others.

During the application process, we will work with prospective residents and their families to understand each individual's strengths, support needs, safety considerations, and ability to live successfully within the community. The goal is not to exclude people based on a diagnosis or disability, but to ensure that Coral Reef can safely and appropriately meet the needs of each resident while maintaining a safe and supportive environment for everyone who lives there.

Yes. Coral Reef will welcome both male and female residents, with apartments available to individuals based on availability and the admissions process.

Each apartment is designed for one resident. Every resident will have their own private apartment and personal living space.

Coral Reef apartments are designed as private residences for individual residents and are not intended for shared or family housing.

Coral Reef is, however, continuing to research best practices and safety considerations related to potential co-living arrangements. Any future changes would be evaluated carefully with resident safety, independence, and community needs in mind.

Coral Reef is developing a Scholarship Fund to help offset a portion of a resident’s monthly fee.

The amount of assistance available to each resident will depend on the size and sustainability of the fund, investment performance, and available resources. Our goal is to make Coral Reef as accessible as possible to families with a range of financial circumstances.

Coral Reef is being designed to provide residents with meaningful opportunities for connection, activity, learning, wellness, and community engagement.

Programming is expected to include a combination of social activities, life-skills development, health and wellness opportunities, educational experiences, community outings, and opportunities for employment, volunteering, recreation, and personal growth.

Coral Reef will also work with community partners to provide specialized programs and services that complement residents’ individual goals and interests.

Coral Reef is adapting a proven residential model that has been used successfully in senior living for decades and applying it in a new way to housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other forms of neurodiversity.

The entry fee is designed to help establish a financially sustainable community while providing residents with a long-term residential asset. Coral Reef’s model is intended to eliminate traditional facility debt from day one and create a sustainable foundation for the community.

Yes. Nine of Coral Reef’s 28 apartments—approximately 32%—will be offered at a reduced entry fee, based on need and availability.

Our goal is to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent an otherwise qualified individual from having the opportunity to be part of the Coral Reef community.

Coral Reef is working with several development, planning, and community partners to advance the project and ensure long-term success for residents.

Key partners include:

Treasure House: The nationally recognized independent living model that provides the framework for Coral Reef’s outcomes-based residential and workforce development programming for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

University of Michigan Health–West:  Coral Reef site is located adjacent to the University of Michigan Health–West campus, providing proximity to healthcare services and strengthening the community support environment for residents.

Local Workforce and Community Organizations (in development): Coral Reef is working to establish partnerships with employers, nonprofit organizations, and community groups in the Grand Rapids region to support vocational training, volunteer engagement, and employment pathways for residents.

Additionally, we are in discussions with local nonprofit organizations specializing in day-programming for our residents as well as operations and facility management. 

These partnerships will help ensure Coral Reef delivers a high-quality independent living environment that integrates housing, workforce development, and community inclusion.

While our community is fortunate to have other nonprofits addressing housing for adults with special needs, there has always been a gap. There is just way more need than can be met.

And the models that do exist are not one size fits all. There are group homes and duplexes, low-income housing. Those settings may work for some, but it’s not ideal for neurodivergent individuals who need the sanctuary of their own private residence to escape overstimulation.

At this time, pets are not permitted in resident apartments.

Resident safety is a central part of Coral Reef’s design. The community is being intentionally designed to provide support without sacrificing independence or privacy.

Each apartment will be equipped with SimplyHome remote-support technology, including sensors and two-way communication tools that can help monitor for concerns related to cooking safety, medication routines, and general wellbeing. The technology is designed to alert the care team when a resident may actually need assistance rather than requiring constant direct supervision.

Additional safety features will include:

• Emergency call buttons in apartments.
• Secure, monitored building entry.
• Visitor sign-in and sign-out procedures.
• Appropriate identification and access protocols for visitors.
• Security cameras in designated common areas, entrances, parking areas, and hallways.
  
  

The goal is to create an environment where residents can enjoy meaningful independence while knowing that help is available when they need it.

We are currently planning to include a guest room that will be available for residents’ family members and guests, subject to availability and community policies.

Coral Reef is also conveniently located within walking distance of two hotels on the University of Michigan Health-West campus, providing additional accommodations for visiting family and friends.