Moving from Awareness to Action: Reimagining a World for Unhoused Neurodivergent People
After sharing my last post about the intersection of autism and homelessness, I kept thinking about what happens after we finally see the problem. What comes next? Awareness is important, but it’s not enough.
The real work is in reimagining the systems we’ve come to accept as "just the way things are."
When I think about my daughter—how specific her needs are, how quickly she can become overwhelmed without the right accommodations—I can't help but wonder: What if she didn't have us? What if she didn't have a home, or a team of people trained to understand her cues, her strengths, her ways of coping? What if the only "support" available to her was a crowded shelter or a provider who expected her to act like everyone else?
The truth is, many autistic people experiencing homelessness often try to access services—but the services are rarely designed to accommodate them. And when those who are neurodivergent inevitably struggle to meet the lowest bar of expectations, the system often labels them as noncompliant or uncooperative and pushes them out.
Here's what making services actually work for autistic people would look like:
Intake systems that don't require phone access, long wait times, or in-person appointments in chaotic environments.
Shelters or transitional housing with low-sensory spaces, clear routines, and staff trained in neurodiversity.
Case managers who understand autism—not just in theory, but in the real-world ways it shows up under stress.
Recognition that behaviors like stimming, avoidance, or shutdown aren't defiance—they're communication.
And it's not just about individual accommodations—it's about shifting the culture. We need to intentionally design services to meet the needs of those who are being served and not the needs of those who do the serving. We don’t need more programs, we need smarter ones—rooted in empathy, flexibility, and the assumption that people process and navigate the world differently.
The good news is: we already know what works. There are models out there that are getting it right. What they all have in common is simple: they listen. They adapt. They honor dignity over compliance.
One example of an organization that is going above and beyond to create a welcoming environment for people with autism is the House of Refuge in Mesa, Arizona. As a Certified Autism Center, they've trained their staff to recognize and support the unique needs of autistic residents while offering stable housing, individualized case management, and family-centered services.
That's the world I want for my daughter. And for every autistic person navigating housing instability without the support they deserve. Let’s stop asking autistic people to fit into broken systems. Let’s start building systems that fit them.
With Gratitude,
Josiah Haken
City Relief, CEO
