COLUMBUS, Ohio — Finding affordable housing can be difficult, but for those with disabilities, finding accessible, affordable housing can seem nearly impossible. 

What You Need To Know

  • Dustin Clark is a resident at Creative Living in Columbus

  • The nonprofit organization offers housing for individuals who use a wheelchair

  • Creative Living was established 50 years ago when an OSU student suffered a spinal injury

  • Executive Director Mike Lightbody said the organization aims to provide a pathway to independence

“It’s huge because it’s either this or it’s a nursing home or living with my parents. And as a 30-year-old man, you don’t want to do that anymore,” said Dustin Clark, a resident at Creative Living in Columbus. 

The nonprofit organization offers housing for individuals who use a wheelchair. Each of their 34 units is customized to the resident’s specific needs.

“It was actually like my parents’ idea. They’re like, you know, I think you should move out,” said Clark, who has lived at Creative Living since 2014 when he was earning his degree in graphic design at Ohio State.

Creative Living was established 50 years ago when an OSU student suffered a spinal injury. At the time, resources were limited as the Americans with Disabilities Act wouldn’t be passed for another 16 years.

“Lots of volunteer organizations and companies throughout Columbus got together and said, let’s build that community for you. A place where you can have your own apartment so that you can live your own life,” said Executive Director Mike Lightbody. 

Lightbody said the organization aims to provide a pathway to independence.

“This is the path that we all deserve,” he said. “And this is a right that we have as a person with disability to live as independently as possible.”

While other affordable and accessible living programs rely on insurance or state and federal funding, Creative Living uses fundraising efforts to ensure a safety net for its residents. 

“A lot of times with disability, things change a lot and even with your physical body. There’s just so much that you can be unsure of as a disabled person. So, for me, having steady affordable housing is just a big deal,” said Clark. 

Each apartment has a call button and offers 24-hour resident assistance, all while providing residents with a space to call their own.

“Just being able to listen to the music I want to listen to that’s another thing people take for granted,” Clark said.

There’s no limit to how long a resident can stay and Clark said he plans to stay as long as he can.

“There’s just no end to the ways that it helps me,” he said.

Creative Living is hosting their fundraising event, Bouquet of Flavors on Friday, May 17th.