The Crisis
The population of intellectually and developmentally disabled adults (IDD) continues to grow.
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Over the next decade, an estimated 500,000 teens will age out of school-based autism services…that’s 50,000 a year.
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The number of Californians receiving IDD services grew 40.9% from 2008–2018…that’s five times faster than the state’s population grew during the same period.
- Autism Facts & Figures, Autism Speaks.
- Fact Book Fiscal Year 2017–2018, 16th Ed.: CA Dept. of Developmental Services.
Most IDD adults live with aging parents, AND they’re starting to outlive them.
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62.6% of adults who receive DDS services in CA live with an aging caregiver.
- The average life expectancy for people with IDD has increased from age 19 in the 1930s to age 66 today.
- Fact Book Fiscal Year 2017–2018, 16th Ed.: CA Dept. of Developmental Services.
- Cited in “Promoting Healthy Aging of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Case Study.”
CA's high cost of living and lack of supportive services are two of the main reasons so many IDD adults live with their parents.
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In California, people who rely solely on SSI for their income earn only $931/month.
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That’s 55% below the median cost of a 1BR apartment in CA: $1,444.
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It's roughly 12% below the federal poverty level.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in CA: 2019; Social Security Administration.
- National Rent Report: September 25, 2019; Apartment List Rentonomics.
- Poverty Guidelines: 2019; Office of the ASPE, US Dept. of Health & Human Svcs.