Valley Family Finds Hope and a Home through the DDD Affordable Housing Program
Popping balloons is a sport Angelo took up during the pandemic and still loves to use to scare people.
For seven years, Kelli and her son, Angelo, who is a member of the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), called the same Tempe apartment home. The situation was ideal, with rent calculated on a sliding scale to fit the family’s income. But when Kelli and the other tenants were notified that a new management company had taken over the apartment complex, they had to finish their lease and reapply. Then the news came: The family was not approved and had to relocate.
Angelo’s mother, Kelli, believes we all should “Be Strong.”
“It was devastating,” said Kelli. With nowhere else to go, Kelli and Angelo moved to Mesa to live with Kelli’s mother - a situation that could not last, because Angelo’s grandmother lived in an age-restricted community. Now that there were three in the family, with two under the age of 55, the grandmother gave up her home so the family could live together in Tempe and split the rent. “It was heartbreaking,” said Kelli. “My mom came to a point when her lease was up, we found a place together. She made that sacrifice.”
Angelo’s bedroom features all his favorite things, including an inflatable punching bag.
To Kelli, the entire experience was the most difficult time of her life. Although they had a roof over their heads, Kelli still felt homeless and afraid. She could not find a place that would accept a housing voucher. She applied for housing assistance with every agency she could think of. In addition to Maricopa County, Kelli applied to the DDD Affordable Housing Program, which responded when she needed it most.
Angelo enjoys playing hoops at the basketball court outside his back door.
In partnership with the Housing Authority of Maricopa County (HAMC), DDD was allotted thirty renovated units at a Phoenix apartment complex as affordable housing opportunities for members. Last October, Angelo and Kelli moved into one of those apartments, which they now call their new home. “I didn’t even expect to like it like I do,” said Kelli. The two-bedroom unit features a fully equipped kitchen, and a laundry room with a full-sized washer and dryer. “It’s a really nice place. It’s awesome.”
Angelo (left) is fitted with boxing gloves by his trainer, Fran Poloni of Special Strong (left), while his mother, Kelli, watches. [Photo courtesy of Jaybird Media Group.]
One of Angelo’s favorite features of their new home is the basketball court right outside their back door. And, because of the DDD Affordable Housing Program, Kelli has a few extra dollars at the end of the month to spend on her son. Angelo’s new favorite activity is boxing. It's a pastime Angelo has enjoyed ever since he was a little boy and his mom gifted him with an inflatable punching bag. Every Saturday, Kelli takes Angelo to a West Valley facility that offers Special Strong boxing lessons. According to their website, Special Strong provides adaptive and inclusive fitness training programs for children, adolescents, and adults with mental, physical and cognitive challenges. Each week, Angelo works with one of Special Strong’s certified personal trainers. Kelli hopes this extra physical activity will help Angelo become more fit and healthy.
Special Strong Trainer Fran Poloni (right) guides Angelo as he goes through a warm-up, gait-training session. [Photo courtesy of Jaybird Media Group.]
While staying with Angelo’s grandmother, Angelo and Kelli had to share a bedroom. This arrangement is something that Angelo is finding hard to give up. “His room is awesome, but he still will not leave me.” But with a new home and a room of his own, Angelo has plenty of opportunity to grow. “It’s been a blessing, to say the least.”