How one family bought a home for their daughter with a special needs trust

"這很有意義。

That’s how Mary Schwanke, sister to Katrina, described the decision to purchase a home and live together. Katrina, 32, has Down syndrome and has lived at home with her parents, Don and Kathy, all her life. Mary is single and ready to move into a permanent home after years of apartment living.

當被問及追求自有住房的決定時，凱西說：「我們知道卡特裡娜需要一個長期的家，而且我們不再年輕。"瑪麗和卡特裡娜一直很親密，卡特裡娜希望有更多的獨立性。

Starting the process

The Schwankes sought professional advice to learn what it would take to set up an LLC. This allowed them to purchase a home for Katrina and Mary without jeopardizing Katrina’s special needs trust, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits.

They hired financial adviser James Traylor in Rochester, NY. Traylor introduced the family to the process, which gave the Schwankes options to provide independent housing for Katrina. The process took about six months and required a financial investment from Katrina’s parents and Katrina via her special needs trust.

這些步驟包括：

• • 尋找家
  • Set up an LLC to protect Katrina’s special needs trust, and for liability protection to the Schwankes should an accident occur on the property
  • Apply for Family Support Services funding, which assisted with moving and home set-up expenses
  • Apply for a mortgage with a bank that was open to working with the Schwankes for a special needs home-buying scenario

Think about options

While not a solution for all, Don expressed that families of individuals with a disability should think broadly and look into options that might not make sense at first. “We were skeptical of hiring a financial adviser at first, thinking it would be too expensive,” said Don.

然而，我們瞭解到，雇傭一位知識淵博的顧問為我們提供了比自己支付更多的資訊和選擇，而好處可以抵消費用。

Mary Schwanke is the Manager of Respite and Family Support Services at ARISE CNY and serves on the LIFEPlan Member and Family Council.