Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, a 501c3 nonprofit, is a recognized leader in providing permanent housing and wrap-around supports for Upper Valley adults with developmental and similar disabilities. With two existing locations and a third under development, the Visions model has proven to promote self-determination, autonomy, and independence by offering support that helps each resident grow and thrive. Living among a caring circle of friends, with individualized support services, enables each Visions resident to lead an engaged and fulfilled life, as a contributing member of our community.

Visions for Creative Housing Solutions’ founding location and main business offices are at Sunrise Farm in Enfield, New Hampshire, in a safe, rural, 80 acre setting with a built-in pool, hiking trails, and flower and vegetable gardens. Once the family home of founding Executive Director Sylvia Kluge Dow, the property now known as Sunrise Farm was originally owned and operated, beginning in 1955, as Kluge’s Inn on Sunset Hill by Sylvia’s family. She and her husband David Dow have two daughters, both with developmental disabilities. In 2004 they began meeting with other families seeking permanent housing and support options for their adult children. As a result, in 2014 Visions for Creative Housing Solutions incorporated as a nonprofit organization with 6 residents at Sunrise Farm. Eleven residents now live in apartments or shared houses at Sunrise Farm.

In response to its ever-growing wait list, Visions began exploring options for expansion in 2017. That led to the 2021 opening of Green Street Commons, in the heart of Lebanon, New Hampshire. Green Street Commons provides supported housing for eleven adults with disabilities in newly renovated apartments. Each Visions location includes common areas and family-style evening meals that encourage and help to sustain the mutually supportive community of residents that distinguishes the Visions model.

Through successful implementation of the Visions model for supported housing in Enfield and Lebanon, Visions has developed a financially solvent business plan with a history of demonstrating long-term sustainability. Visions successfully provides lifelong support for some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens in a nurturing environment.

In addition to providing a comfortable, safe, and affordable home, Visions offers 24/7 as-needed support services designed to meet the specific needs of each Visions resident.  Visions offers support with employment, transportation, health and medical oversight, life skills development, relationship building, and social and recreational opportunities.  These wrap around services foster growth and independence by nurturing each individual’s sense of well-being and self-worth.  The Visions model gives each Visions resident a chance at living a fulfilling, successful life with the dignity they deserve.

Unique in the Upper Valley

Visions is an approved vendor through the State of New Hampshire’s DHHS Bureau of Developmental Services. Individualized service contracts with the state for each resident are the primary source of funding for Visions’ day-to-day operations. This is followed by the nominal amount each resident pays for room and board, along with grants, and individual donations.  Early on, Visions was approved by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid’s Heightened Scrutiny Process, ensuring that the organization meets the highest standards set by the Home and Community Based Services Division of Medicare & Medicaid.  Visions is an active member of the Private Provider Network of New Hampshire, a collaboration among private agencies that provide a wide range of high quality/cost effective community-based supports for individuals with developmental and acquired disabilities throughout New Hampshire. 

Visions is recognized as a leader throughout the State of New Hampshire and beyond in innovative housing solutions for adults with disabilities. As a result, in 2017 the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority provided Visions with a $50,000 Emerging Opportunities grant to create a “Supported Housing Toolkit” for others to replicate the unique Visions model.  To date, several communities in New Hampshire and throughout the country using the Toolkit, including Our Place in Dover and The Home Possible Project in the Lakes Region.

Visions continues to grow!

Almost immediately after Green Street Commons opened in the summer of 2021, work began on what will become a third Visions site in Hanover, New Hampshire. Visions Hanover is centrally located on South Park Street, on property generously donated to Visions by the former nonprofit, Outreach House. This brand-new building, projected to open its doors in mid-2024, will be fully wheelchair accessible and provide permanent supported housing for another twelve residents.

See the Hanover page on this web site or contact Laura Perez (lperez@visionsnh.org) to learn more about these exciting plans!

Click here to view a selection of articles written about Visions since we opened.