The Kelsey

We’re #hiring an Inclusion Concierge at The Kelsey Civic Center in San Francisco. Inclusion Concierge staff are a key feature of The Kelsey. They deliver programming to residents, support connections within our communities and the surrounding area, and help connect residents with disabilities to essential services, activities, and other needs outside the building. Apply today or share with someone you know who may be interested.

Jack and Chyleene O'Connor, disability-forward housing advocates and the parents of our co-founder Kelsey, share what #HomeForMore means to them. “When we think of home at this time of year, we think of home for more joy. As Kelsey's parents, we were so thankful that she found true joy in her home with her friends, Hope, Raina, Anne Marie, and their dedicated support staff. They found great joy just as Kelsey's sisters, Meghan and Cate, find joy in their family homes. It is our sincere hope that all people experience happiness this holiday season with their family, either the one they were born into or the community they cherish. We are so thankful for the work of The Kelsey, providing opportunity for so many to experience joyful homes. Although we miss Kelsey terribly, we honor her each year by putting her favorite ornaments on our Christmas tree. Happy holidays to all!”

Sandra Conley, Alabama-based advocate and Disability & Housing Narrative Change Cohort member, shares what #HomeForMore means to her: Home for More Independence: I was raised to live as independently as possible, despite being born as a PWD in the 1960s. Although persons with disabilities during that time were not expected to become independent, my parents raised me to take care of myself in any way possible. I was born with disabilities that changed as I aged; however most of my adult life I have had the good fortune to live in my own home. My greatest desire would be to have affordable, accessible housing that would allow me to "age in place". As I have aged, I have required surgeries that have resulted in my living with friends or in nursing homes as I recovered since I don't have wheelchair accessible housing. My goal is to assist with creating more affordable accessible housing, first in Alabama, and then nationally. . . . Image description: Text on image reads, "’Home for More Independence,’ Written by: Sandra Conley, Disability & Housing Narrative Change Cohort.” Image description: Text on image reads, “I was raised to live as independently as possible, despite being born as a PWD in the 1960s. Although persons with disabilities during that time were not expected to become independent, my parents raised me to take care of myself in any way possible.” Image description: Text on image reads, “I was born with disabilities that changed as I aged; however most of my adult life I have had the good fortune to live in my own home. My greatest desire would be to have affordable accessible housing that would allow me to "age in place." Image description: Text on image reads, “As I have aged, I have required surgeries that have resulted in my living with friends or in nursing homes as I recovered since I don't have wheelchair-accessible housing. My goal is to assist with creating more affordable, accessible housing, first in Alabama, and then nationally.

Kyle Seem, our Collective Impact Manager, shares what #HomeForMore means to her: “Home for More means creating beautiful, accessible, inclusive communities where people can truly thrive. A home is more than just a physical structure. It's a place of belonging, comfort, and stability, and it serves as an emotional and functional cornerstone of life that contributes to well-being, connection, and a sense of purpose.”

lisa cooley, California-based advocate and Disability & Housing Narrative Change Cohort member, shares what #HomeForMore means to her: “I would like to see Home For More interdependence and gathering spaces for people who have disabilities.” . . . Image description: Text on image is a quote that reads, “‘I would like to see Home For More interdependence and gathering spaces for people who have disabilities.’ – Lisa Cooley, Disability & Housing Narrative Change Cohort.” The text is white on a dark blue background. The Kelsey logo is in the lower right corner. 

As the 118th Congress comes to a close, we’re proud to have made significant strides in advancing disability-forward housing. From educating offices on the need for more accessible housing through the VITAL Act to ensuring increased funding and effectiveness of HUD Section 811 and Mainstream Vouchers, our field has laid critical groundwork for the future. Many thanks to our advocacy partners National Low Income Housing Coalition, Justice in Aging and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and to so many in the field who are making a disability-forward housing future possible. . . . Image description: The United States Capitol building. A blue sky is visible behind it. Image description: A room full of people. Some sit at circle tables and others sit on a panel at the front of the room. There are two, large TV screens with the text, “Welcome to the State & Tribal Partner Convening,” on them.

Judith Elise Brown, North Carolina-based advocate and Disability & Housing Narrative Change Cohort member, shares what #HomeForMore means to her. “Home for More means that people with disabilities should have access to the information and programs that can lead to successful home ownership. There should be no barriers for anyone to be independent and live in the community they choose.” Use #HomeForMore and share what you want to see more of in your communities.

Justin Tsang, disability rights activist and one of our newest Board members, shares what #HomeForMore means to him. “Home for more means building communities in which accessibility is not an afterthought, but is affordable, it's close to transit, and most importantly, you are able to be having the independence of getting to the places that you want to get to and be able to thrive for decades to come.” Use #HomeForMore and share what you want to see more of in your communities.

Thomas Hospod, our Housing Development Manager, shares what Home For More means to him: “For me, 'Home for More' means creating spaces that foster inclusion and belonging for all. It's about building communities where everyone can thrive and feel valued. Let's work together to make Home for More Dignity and Love.” Join the conversation and tell us what #HomeForMore means to you! . . . Image 1: Tom Hospod, a white man with short brown hair, is pictured smiling against a grey background. Tom is wearing a grey The Kelsey sweater. Image 2: White text on a blue background reads, “‘For me, 'Home for More' means creating spaces that foster inclusion and belonging for all. It's about building communities where everyone can thrive and feel valued. Let's work together to make Home for More Dignity and Love.’ – Tom Hospod, Housing Development Manager, The Kelsey. #HomeForMore.” The Kelsey logo is in the lower right corner.

This #GivingTuesday, join The Kelsey in creating a disability-forward housing future. On the Leaders for Inclusive Community podcast, Isaac Haney-Owens interviews our Fundraising & Operations Manager, Ari Katz, on how fundraising helps us make accessible, affordable, and inclusive housing a reality. Millions of people—especially those with disabilities—still face barriers to housing. As we celebrate #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities, we’re reflecting on how giving has fueled our work to eliminate these barriers. Your support helps us: -Build and enable thousands of disability-forward homes across the country -Advocate for disability-forward housing policies -Open doors to opportunity and belonging for all To donate to The Kelsey visit: https://lnkd.in/gDKdDUTc. To listen to our full episode on giving at The Kelsey, visit: https://bit.ly/41eh8Iv.