Unlocking Housing Options
for Wisconsin's A/I/DD Community
KeysWI is a regional initiative dedicated to creating housing choice for people with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities (A/I/DD) in Northeast Wisconsin.
By bridging the gap between current market limitations and real-world needs, we aim to provide leaders, families, and partners with the data and strategic insight necessary to foster independence and belonging for all.
Our first project, My Housing Voice, will gather and amplify local input to ensure that housing policies reflect real lives.
Planning now for the future allows the region to move from crisis management to strategic development. We can protect individuals, families and public resources.
- John Edwards MD, co-founder KeysWI
Why KeysWI Exists
We created KeysWI because we know it is possible for Northeast Wisconsin to be a community where adults with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities (A/I/DD) have expanded housing options, stable supports, and full inclusion in community life.
Most people assume the need for housing is already addressed through existing systems. In reality, 75% of adults with disabilities are living with family not by choice, but because the housing market has never been designed with them in mind. When those family supports disappear, often due to aging parents, communities are forced into crisis responses. This population is frequently overlooked by planners and policymakers. However, their current living arrangements don't have the long-term reliability and stability that we expect for most people with housing.
Currently, adults with A/I/DD don’t have an adequate number and range of options about how and where they live. This part of our community has some of the lowest financial, cognitive, and advocacy resources, especially when their aging family members can no longer help express their needs. Typical income under $1,000 a month is below the average cost of rent alone.
Nonetheless, due to dramatic advances in opportunities in education, life-skills and job training, this population is more ready than any previous generation to achieve higher levels of independence and enjoy different living options than have previously been available.
KeysWI is here to bring solutions to the forefront by producing missing data and convening critical conversations.
Who We Are
KeysWI is led by a five-person volunteer steering committee that brings both professional and personal experience with navigating disability services and affordable housing.
Jill Edwards MD
Part of the Appleton community with her husband, John, for nearly three decades, Jill stepped away from clinical practice as a pediatric emergency medicine physician to focus her time on raising their five children, including their daughter Abby, who has autism. Through her family’s experience, Jill became deeply aware of the limited housing options available to adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Inspired by innovative housing models in other communities, including Independence Landing (Tallahassee FL) and Casa Familia (Kendall FL), she has become an advocate for expanding inclusive housing opportunities in Northeast Wisconsin.
John Edwards MD
Serving the Fox Valley community for nearly three decades as a pediatrician with ThedaCare and as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Children's Wisconsin in Neenah, John has also been active in community leadership, serving on the Boards of Catalpa Health and an Appleton charter school, and helping introduce mental wellness screening programs in area schools. Through his work with children and families, John has seen the challenges many individuals with autism and other neurodiversities face as they transition to adulthood. Together with his wife, Jill, he is working to expand housing opportunities that support independence, stability, and community inclusion for adults with neurodiversities in Northeast Wisconsin.
Harriet Redman
When her son was born with a rare chromosomal disorder, she turned her education and skills in family education and marketing to advocating with overlooked, underserved families. She is the Founder of WisconSibs, the first nonprofit dedicated to the life-long interests of siblings of people with disabilities which went on to establish the first national sibling organization. Harriet is a founding member of the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance and currently co-chairs their work in supporting working caregivers. She and her husband are full-time caregivers of their 33-year-old son.
Pam Schutz
After more than a decade of leadership as CEO of Covey, Pam stepped away from the role to focus on outreach and grants, continuing her commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, she has developed and managed licensed residential programs and supported the growth of services that promote independence, connection, and full lives. Through her work, Pam has seen both the possibilities and gaps within the system and is passionate about expanding inclusive opportunities in the community.
Kristine Giornalista
Kristine is an independent housing consultant who focuses on projects that improve lives of the most vulnerable in our community. Kristine has spent most of her career in affordable multifamily development, with a specialty in supportive and inclusive housing. Based in Neenah, Kristine currently serves as the project director for the Fox Cities Housing Alliance.
Christina Burzinski
Christina is the project administrator supporting the Steering Committee. Christina has over 25 years of experience providing a range of services to non-profit organizations.
Our Partners
Market Research Expertise
First Place Global is conducting the survey, analyzing the results and preparing a comprehensive report.
Financial Support
Basic Needs Giving Partnership provided a generous grant to underwrite the project.
Fiscal Agent
CAP Services is serving as the non-profit fiscal agent.
Session Hosts & Outreach Collaborators
We would like to recognize organizations who are collaborating by hosting and spreading the word about My Housing Voice sessions.
ARDC
Outagamie County
SOAR
Fox Cities
ARDC
Brown County
Childrens Resource Center Northeast
Autism Society
of Wisconsin
Remarkable!
Down Syndrome Association of WI
CP Center
Green Bay
New Hope Center
and others!
CP Center
Fox Cities
Curative Connections Green Bay
In-Kind Support
Thank you to our allies for your donation of time and materials!
Miller Electric