Providing financial assistance for accessible living spaces
Projects for Housing Accessibility & Training (PHAT) received a gift from an anonymous family trust in 2023 to start a program to help individuals with spinal cord injuries and other similar conditions.
PHAT has contracted with WheelPad L3C to develop and implement Peter's Program. Through Peter's Program, WheelPad provides leased SuitePADs, accessible home attachments consisting of a bedroom and bathroom, to individuals who are living with a spinal cord injury or other long-term physical mobility challenge and financially in need, at a significantly reduced monthly cost. The SuitePAD adds accessible living space to a single-family home, allowing the individual to choose where they live.
A SuitePAD is approximately 200 sq ft of fully ADA compliant living space. The PAD is designed with a full wet bathroom, curbless shower, ADA compliant bathroom fixtures, and an integrated track in the ceiling which can connect to a lift.
The SuitePAD has its own heating and cooling system, and is designed to simply hook up to an existing home’s electrical and plumbing system.
The SuitePAD has a swing door and a sliding patio door - either can be used to connect the PAD to the house.
In cold climates for year-round use, a connection will need to be built to connect the SuitePAD to the house. This simple 5x5 connection to the SuitePAD can be made through an existing door or window. In warm climates, you have the option to forgo a connector and the SuitePAD can be installed with a simple ramp or deck connecting the PAD to the house.
Designed to meet the Agency of Transportation Guidelines, the SuitePAD can be pulled with a heavy-duty pickup truck. CONNECTORS to the home can be built in less than two weeks.
The Peter's Program Process
Step 1: Identifying Potential Program Participants
Whether it be through referrals from previously established referral sources such as hospitals and occupational therapists, family, friends, or the individual themselves, the staff at WheelPad are always looking to identify individuals who would benefit from participating in Peter's Program.
WheelPad is also looking to establish strong partnerships with businesses, non-profits, and government agencies that can help identify individuals who may be eligible.
If you would like more information from someone at WheelPad about Peter's Program, please use the button at the bottom of the page.
Step 2: Applicant Verification
Peter's Program strives to first help individuals who have a spinal cord injury or significant mobility issues, who demonstrate a financial need, and don't have current access to an accessible living space.
To make sure we're helping those with the most need, applicants are asked to go through a process that will include a "site visit" evaluation of the potential property that a SuitePAD will be installed on, and a financial verification, done in partnership with Neighborworks of Western Vermont, an independent third-party.
Throughout the process, WheelPad staff will work with the applicant to determine if the lease and installation costs are manageable for the individual. The experienced staff has connections with local organizations and resources that can help to mitigate some of the associated costs, if they are determined to be prohibitive, such as Habitat for Humanity.
Step 3: Application Approval
When an individual is deemed the right match for Peter's Program, they will receive a phone call from a team member at WheelPad, as well as a follow up email informing them of their acceptance into the program. They will also receive details about the anticipated monthly lease cost and the anticipated delivery availability of a SuitePAD to their location.
At this point in the process, the individual will work with one of WheelPad's permitting experts to provide insight and support through the permitting process with their local agencies.
If for any reason a permit is not granted for the SuitePAD, there is no cost to the homeowner for engaging in this process.
Step 4: Signing the Lease and Installation
Once the homeowner agrees to the financial requirements discussed during the process, WheelPad will send a lease agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the lease through Peter's Program.
Upon acceptance of this agreement by both parties (WheelPad and the Homeowner) and any initial payments required, the delivery of the SuitePAD will be scheduled (pending availability).
When the SuitePAD is delivered, installation is estimate to take anywhere between 1 to 2 weeks to secure the SuitePAD, depending on the schedule of local contractors to finalize the connections.
Step 5: Post-Installation Check-Ins
After the SuitePAD has been successfully delivered and installed, a team member from WheelPad will make regular, monthly, check-ins with the homeowner and the Peter's Program Participant to ensure their satisfaction and stay up-to-date with any required changes, repairs, or other comments and concerns.
When a Peter's Program Participant no longer requires the use of a SuitePAD for any reason, please reach out to the WheelPad team.
Once WheelPad has been notified, they will work with the participant and homeowner to start the process for a smooth disconnection and pick-up of the SuitePAD unit so it can be repaired, refurbished, and be prepared to help another person in need.
Want to talk more about Peter's Program?
Submit your email and telephone number, as well as some basic information and a WheelPad team member will reach out to answer your questions and discuss more details about Peter's Program soon!
