New community gives people with disabilities home to call their own

WYNNEFIELD HEIGHTS (WPVI) -- A new community is giving people with disabilities the chance to live full lives, while still getting the care they need.

Ashley Moore is a new resident of Inglis Gardens at Belmont, 80 new units of affordable housing in Wynnefield Heights for people with disabilities and other qualified families.

It is 23-year-old Moore's first apartment, and her first time living independently.

"I worked so hard to get here, and I never thought it would come," said Moore.

Moore has muscular dystrophy and stopped walking at age 12. She moved from North Philadelphia to a facility in Bucks County, and then at 21 moved to Inglis House, a nursing care facility right next door to the new site. But what she really wanted was to live with her sister, on their own.

"I've never seen this to be my life, ever. To be in a wheelchair, and to be in a nursing facility," said Moore. "I always was like, 'No, I want to be on my own. I want to be independent.' "

About half the apartments are designed specifically for people with disabilities transitioning into independent living, like residents of Inglis House, who received their new keys to applause.

Those units have wider doors, roll-under space and controls within reach.

"The availability of accessible, affordable housing is so desperate," said Inglis President and CEO Gavin Kerr.

Teams helped prepare residents and provide on-site support.

This is the first week for move-in, but by next month, 25 current residents of Inglis House will be among those who made the move to Iglis Gardens.

"It's official. It's real. These are my walls," said Moore.