Opportunity Homes Inc

In 1979 the Winneshiek Association for Retarded Citizens organized a nonprofit corporation, OPPORTUNITY HOMES, INC., to establish a group home for adults with intellectual disabilities since there were no community-based residential services in the area.

Opportunity Homes, Inc. (OHI) opened Winneshiek County’s first licensed group home in September 1982 after three years of struggle and commitment from the volunteer board of directors. This home provided residential care and training in independent living skills to 8 adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

In response to a growing waiting list, and to the need for a more independent living situation for consumers living in the group home, a supervised apartment program was established in 1984 in an old apartment building located near the downtown area and the consumers’ vocational center. This program served consumers under CSLA.

The following year, OHI expanded program services by opening a second licensed group home for 5 residents under a Demonstration Waiver Project established by the Iowa Legislature. This project was started to reduce the stringent building requirements for group homes and to enable existing housing to be used for group homes with a minimum of remodeling. OHI has the distinction of starting the first licensed Demonstration Waiver Home in the state. This home was known as Donlon House.

In September 1987, a new 8-plex apartment building was leased for the Supervised Apartment Program. The new building enabled 14 residents to move into new apartment units, two of which were completely handicapped-accessible.

Converse House group home was established in 1990. It would be another 5-bed Waiver home. The remodeling process was completed in time for individuals to move into the house in February 1990. This site was the first group home established in Cresco, Iowa.

In 2000, OHI collaborated with the private sector to meet the needs of consumers needing single unit apartments. A six unit building was opened in late summer of 2000 to meet those needs.

In September of 2001, OHI began provision of Home and Community Based services to four individuals in a site-based home in the community of Decorah. In September of 2002, the agency began provision of the Adult Rehabilitation Option service to individuals with a chronic mental illness. In June of 2003, OHI transitioned individuals receiving services in the RCF-MR setting to Home and Community Based Supported Community Living in site-based settings. In July of 2007, OHI began provision of Habilitation services to individuals that experience mental illness.

As of January 1, 2013 OHI has provided 30 years of services throughout the community.

Opportunity Homes, Inc. currently serves individuals through the HCBS ID-Waiver, BI-Waiver, Habilitation Option, Respite, and Chapter 24 services in Winneshiek, Howard, and Chickasaw Counties.