In brief

Project Independence, a Costa Mesa nonprofit group for adults with

developmental disabilities, has hired Michael Manchester to manage its

new senior housing program that will be funded by a $76,000 grant

received last month from the California Council on Developmental

Disabilities.

With the funds, Project Independence will help three or four senior

citizens at each of its six homes to share leasing costs during the

yearlong pilot program, Manchester said.

“We’ve realized the graying that is happening all over America is also

happening to [people with developmental disabilities,]” Manchester said.

“Isolation, poor nutrition and other problems elderly people in this

country are facing also apply to older people with developmental

disabilities. We feel having roommates they can get along with will help

nip at least isolation in the bud. We would be helping them define their

budget and assign chores, but they would all be choosing where and with

whom they want to live and running their own homes. We feel that would

create a better quality of life for them.”

The group plans to have a roommate mixer for the project at 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 at its offices, 3505 Cadillac St., Suite P-101, Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 549-3464, Ext. 269.