Special to The SUN
There are roughly 4.6 million adults living in America with some form of developmental disability. Though there is no official count, there are an estimated 10 to 15 living in Archuleta County.
Adults with mental retardation face a particularly daunting set of challenges living independently; obtaining housing of their own is at the top of the list.
Though many of these adults in our community want independence, the lack of affordable and appropriate housing in Pagosa Springs prevents many from taking steps toward independence. Waiting lists at other facilities statewide and nationwide run as long as 10 years.
According to Kathleen McGinley with the National Disability Rights Network, limited access to public housing, inadequate social services and the lack of affordable housing on the open market have combined to create a quiet crisis for adults with developmental disabilities.
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