30 Years Ago...
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Research by Heidi Stieglitz Ham, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, shows that when individuals with developmental disabilities spend time together, they demonstrate an increased sense of self-esteem, belonging, friendship, and safety.
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The parents of this group discovered this naturally through observing their children's confidence and self-responsibility grow with the group. The outcomes were so positive that they started asking, "what if we could replicate this in housing?"​ In 2025, Susan Cooper sat down with the singer-songwriter Kyshona Armstrong to put that feeling into song. You can listen to that song here.
Our founders, Pat and Charlie Cooper, helped start a social group for adults with mild developmental disabilities in Nashville called Springboard Network. The group has met weekly for thirty years.​

The Need
Over 160,000 Tennessee residents have developmental disabilities, according to the Vanderbilt University Tennessee Disability Services Report. Only one other organization in the Middle Tennessee area provides comparable housing for adults with developmental disabilities, and it has a long waiting list of over ninety individuals. Sixty percent of this population lives with family members, yet the population desires independence. The Springboard Landings model is intentionally integrated with 80% of the units dedicated for special needs housing, and the remaining 20% unrestricted. A more integrated model allows the building to provide access to services and resources while still maintaining affordability.
The Plan
Springboard Landings is creating a new affordable housing development that will provide a much-needed permanent housing option for adults with developmental disabilities, integrated into a supportive community. Located in the Bellevue neighborhood of Nashville, the 24-unit building will include nineteen units dedicated to adults with developmental disabilities ("Landers") and five units for residents without disabilities, including a salaried Resident Services Coordinator. The design includes ample common spaces for supportive programs and activities to foster a vibrant community for all residents.
The project aims to offer both independence and community for residents who often face limited earning potential and social isolation. Using a "bring your own services" model, Springboard Landings will connect residents with outside services, and staff will collaborate with providers to offer onsite programming. Social activities will also be planned to combat isolation and build community. This innovative project will fill a gap between shared living settings and independent market-rate housing, addressing a critical need for members of the community living with developmental disabilities.
Each one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment will include a full kitchen, living area, and washer/dryer connections. The apartments will surround a common area on both floors for group dining, gathering, recreation, and peer support. The communal space on the first floor will have a large shared kitchen and staff office. All apartments will have a connection to the common areas to encourage residents with developmental disabilities (“Landers”) and their neighbors to meet and interact to combat social isolation.
The Details

Meet the Team
Funding Facts
$7.5M
Total Project Costs
83%
Amount of funding secured
$4.09M
Amount dedicated through strategic partnerships with the Barnes Housing Trust Fund, Tennesse Housing Development Agency, and Studio Bank.
$2.3M
Amount of private funding through donations dedicated to this project.
Timeline
Springboard Landings secured and rezoned the property in Bellevue in July 2022.
The last three years have been spent fundraising, grant writing, designing, and building strategic partnerships.
We hope to break ground in early 2026 and expect a one-construction timeline.
Our goal is for Landers to move in the Spring of 2027.








