My Special Place (MSP) is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families in The Villages and surrounding areas. MSP has one goal – to investigate opportunities for quality housing in a safe and enriching environment for those in and around The Villages, and find quality programs to manage it.

MSP is led by a board of professionals in healthcare, law, business, education, real estate, and advocacy—many of whom have personal connections to individuals with IDD. We understand the challenges families face, especially as caregivers age and seek sustainable housing solutions for their loved ones.

My Special Place Board

Our mission is to create safe, high-quality residential options for adults with IDD that align with a quality lifestyle. We aim to build a vibrant, inclusive community that offers:

• Safe and fulfilling housing
• Opportunities for social and recreational engagement
• Access to employment and day programs
• Dignity, independence, and care for life

We believe families who have supported a loved one for decades deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing their future is secure.

We support families living in The Villages and surrounding areas who have adult children or relatives with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Our focus includes the broader Villages region, which spans Sumter, Marion, and Lake counties.

Currently, nearly 2,400 individuals in these three counties are either receiving or waiting for state-provided IDD services. In addition, based on national statistics, it’s estimated that over 1,500 residents within The Villages may have an intellectual or developmental disability.

Over the past five years, MSP has explored multiple paths to bring this vision to life:

1. A dedicated IDD community with apartments, villas, and on-site opportunities for employment and social interaction. This plan was declined by  developer.
2. A partnership with an assisted living facility was explored before the COVID-19 pandemic, but post-pandemic construction costs proved prohibitive.
3. A request to lease existing assisted living buildings in The Villages was not able to be realized. However, the developer expressed support for MSP’s mission and willingness to collaborate if MSP could secure property and a development partner.

These efforts laid the foundation for renewed momentum in 2025.

In early 2025, MSP was reinvigorated by a combination of new family members and past board members. Together, we’re reimagining solutions to housing challenges facing our IDD community. Our current efforts focus on:

• Identifying needs and priorities
• Developing a new and achievable vision
• Exploring viable and timely housing options
• Interviewing and evaluating experienced, high-quality service providers who specialize in providing services to the developmentally disabled

The Villages is the fastest-growing metro area in the United States—now larger than both Boca Raton and Miami Beach. Yet despite this rapid growth, there are still very few residential options nearby that are specifically designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The closest facilities are often 45 to 60 minutes away and may not be appropriate for higher-functioning individuals within the IDD community. What’s urgently needed is a local, inclusive housing model that can support a wide range of needs and abilities. With family caregivers aging, the time to act is now—lasting care solutions for their loved ones can’t wait.

We envision a modern, thoughtfully designed residential community with:

• 40+ Units of safe, affordable, quality housing for a range of developmental disabilities
• 24/7 care and oversight by an experienced IDD service provider
• Dining facilities with dietary services
• Medical, behavioral, and health management
• Structured day programs and recreational activities
• Smart technology for security and ease of care
• Employment opportunities and transportation support
• Access to The Villages amenities, all golf cart accessible

We’re working on:

• Touring established IDD residential communities across Florida
• Interviewing experienced service providers
• Researching potential properties in and around The Villages
• Exploring licensing and state regulatory requirements
• Evaluating the physical and medical needs of future residents
• Investigating financing options
• Considering an on-site structured day program

If you’ve been touched by this challenge, we’re looking for people with skills, time, or passion to help make My Special Place a reality. Volunteers and partners expand our impact—every hour, voice, and dollar counts. Whether you’re a concerned neighbor, a business owner, or simply someone who cares, we welcome you to join us and see how you can help.

Whether you’re looking to get involved, share your story, or simply learn more, we’d love to hear from you. ✉️