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5 -21 -If CVM '7A Fu� h� c Ccm11 The Housing Needs of Redwood City's Adults with Developmental Disabilities Introduction. Redwood City faces a growing need for permanent supportive housing for people with developmental disabilities, who are diagnosed with, for example, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and other conditions that severely impair functioning in the activities of daily living. Under California's Lanterman Act, the Golden Gate Regional Center provides the city's residents with developmental disabilities the services they need to live successfully in integrated community housing. But without access to affordable housing, this is an empty promise. Current Unmet Housing Need. According to the Department of Developmental Services, Redwood City is home to 672 people with developmental disabilities, of whom 411 are adults. Of this adult population, only 81 live in their own apartment, while 176 are still living at home with aging parents. That is not usually by choice—many adults remain in the parent's home solely because of the lack of other housing options. Demographic Factors Contributing to the Growth in Housing Need. The number of people with developmental disabilities in San Mateo County increased by 34% in the decade since 2008. Two demographic factors will continue to fuel this growth, including in Redwood City. First, this growth correlates with a significant increase in the diagnosis of children with autism that began more than 25 years ago --now seen in a dramatic increase in the number of adults approaching their 30s. For example, San Mateo County now has 260% more adults with developmental disabilities in the age group 18 to 31 years compared to the age group 32 years to 41 years, representing the first wave of the autism Tsunami that is entering adulthood. Most adults in their 20s and 30s are still living at home, but as their parents reach their 60s and 70s, these families need to find permanent supportive housing options for their adult children with developmental disabilities. Another demographic factor contributing to the unmet housing need among people with developmental disabilities is the continuing gains in life span due to improvements in medical care and social services. For example, as recently as ten years ago, there was a 36% decrease in the San Mateo County population of adults with developmental disabilities as they aged out of the group aged 42 to 51 years and joined the group aged 52 to 61 years of age. In contrast, in March 2018, the group that is age 52 to 61 years of age is actually larger than the group that is age 42 to 51 years of age. Similarly, the number of adults living past their 62nd birthday is almost the same size as the group age 52 to 61. In just 10 years, the number of San Mateo County seniors (age 62 and older) with developmental disabilities has more than doubled.