Nikki Speaks on Behalf of Jackson Hole Community for Integrated Housing Feasibility Study

Hello, my name is Nikki Thompson.?I have lived in Jackson very close to my entire life.?I lived with my parents and brother until I moved into Pioneer Homestead almost 15 years ago.?Although all of the apartments at Pioneer Homestead are individual, it still feels like a community, because we are so close together.?I visit with quite a few of my neighbors on a daily to weekly basis.?My brother, who is intellectually impaired, also lives in the same building, in his own apartment.?It's nice to have him and other neighbors close by, in case I need help with something like picking up my medications.?We do have a common area in each of the three buildings that make up the complex, but to the best of my knowledge, they are not very well utilized, except for a holiday meal or get together.?I think if we had something similar to this in future living spaces for people such as Community Entry Services clients, it would make them much happier, by being with friends and family, rather than one person being alone in their apartments all the time.??I feel that if I didn't live in a place like Pioneer Homestead, it would be much more difficult to go about my daily life.?At Pioneer Homestead, they provide housing for people above the age of 62, and the disabled community, age 18 and above.?I have friends in the complex in their 20's, all the way up to their 90's.?When I first moved in, I wasn't sure what to think, living in a building with a bunch of older people, but I got to know them and now I wouldn't have it any other way.?Most of them have come and gone, due to their age, so I have made quite a few friends over the last 14 years.?I also think the older community enjoys the friendship from the younger tenants, mainly in their 20's and 30's, since they aren't always able to get out to do things.?We have also taught each other about what it means to be acquainted with someone from the older community, as well as the disabled community.?I also have two friends who are intellectually impaired who own a townhome on Hall Avenue.?They are able to be as independent as they want to be, while living together, at the same time, with the help of their Medicaid Waiver providers.?I also think the living situations that the Community Entry Services clients are set up with are great, because it gives them independence and assistance at the same time.?I feel we need more community housing projects like these, so everyone can live as independently as possible, and still receive assistance if needed.?I ask you to please take this into consideration, so everyone in the differently abled community is able to live just as freely as anyone else.?

Thank you!?

-Nikki Thompson (Grow Well Associate, Vertical Harvest Jackson Hole)