Five things to know about Osprey Village
The concept
Osprey Village will be a community where adults with special needs can live independently alongside neighbors who take an interest in their lives and well-being.
Where it stands
Organizers have a contract on a 38-acre plot on Bluffton Parkway, just south of Buckwalter Place. A groundbreaking could happen as early as this summer.
How it will develop
Initially, six homes, a community center and trails will be built. The long-term plan includes more homes and 30 apartments. One-fourth of residents will have special needs. The other residents will include caregivers and relatives, retirees and families who are looking for a community that incorporates volunteer work.
Why it's important
State- and county-run group homes have long waiting lists. And the concept of intergenerational "intentional neighboring" to serve vulnerable communities is a fairly new one that has not yet been extended to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Organizers hope the Osprey Village template will be replicable across the country.
Other ways it's different
Organizers hope to make potential residents go through full background checks.
This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Five things to know about Osprey Village."