Ashoka Fellow Micaela Connery
Ashoka زميل منذ 2024   |   United States

Micaela Connery

The Kelsey
Micaela Connery is advancing disability-forward housing solutions that open doors to more affordable homes and opportunities for everyone. Uniquely positioned as both a housing developer and advocate,…
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This description of Micaela Connery's work was prepared when Micaela Connery was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2024.

Introduction

Micaela Connery is advancing disability-forward housing solutions that open doors to more affordable homes and opportunities for everyone. Uniquely positioned as both a housing developer and advocate, she is meeting immediate housing needs, moving an entire field forward, and proving thatأقرا المزيد

The New Idea

Micaela has created a housing model that is not just affordable, accessible, and integrated for people with disabilities but also builds community and improves the housing experience for all residents. Millions of people living in the United States are feeling the effects of one of the worstأقرا المزيد

The Problem

People with disabilities experience the highest rates of housing insecurity, housing discrimination, and homelessness. Those who rely on Social Security benefits would need to spend, on average, 125% of their income to afford basic housing. In high cost-of-living areas like the Bay Area inأقرا المزيد

The Strategy

The Kelsey’s strategy consists of two core avenues of work: first, designing and refining a best-in-class model of disability-forward housing based on the learnings and shortcomings of decades of housing approaches; and second, ensuring that this becomes the new normal through policy advocacy,أقرا المزيد

The Person

Micaela grew up with her cousin and friend, Kelsey, who lived with multiple and significant disabilities. Kelsey is the co-founder of The Kelsey and the organization’s namesake. The cousins went through many stages of life together, and from a young age, Micaela couldn’t help but see the worldأقرا المزيد