By Jamie Strickland
For many parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, one question always lingers in the back of their minds: what will happen when they’re no longer there to support their child?
Jeff Holland, founder and president of My Forever Home NC, was determined to find an answer. His efforts combined with community partnerships spawned a new housing initiative in Smithfield that is working to provide a solution.
Leaders with My Forever Home NC recently broke ground on a residential project designed to help adults with disabilities live more independently while remaining connected to their neighbors and support systems. The development, located within the new Finley Landing neighborhood along U.S. Highway 70 Business across from Amazon, will include ten homes devoted to this purpose.
Holland said the idea first took shape years ago as he learned about similar projects across the country.
“I had begun to learn about projects popping up across the nation of people creating communities for people with disabilities being set up to allow people to live on their own in houses, apartments, duplexes and other settings,” Holland said. “I wondered what would prevent us from doing the same thing in our community.”
The motivation, he said, is something nearly every parent in similar circumstances understands.
“Parents recognize that they are not going to live forever, and this motivates all of us to work on a solution for our sons and daughters to be able to live on their own, with support, and be cared for after we ‘exit stage left,’” Holland said.
The idea began gaining traction about six or seven years ago when Holland started inviting other parents to gather for monthly meetings to talk about the transition from high school into adulthood for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Many of the families had crossed paths at support groups, community events and gatherings connected to the Autism Society of North Carolina.
At one such meeting in December 2019, Holland raised a new possibility.
“I mentioned to parents that I had been learning of projects across the nation where parents or groups of people were developing intentional communities — housing projects that were intentionally designed to help people with and without disabilities live in communities near each other,” Holland said. “I asked if any parents had interest in exploring the possibility of launching such a community.”
Several hands went up.
“The group of parents who began to meet formed the impetus for the nonprofit that would later materialize under the name My Forever Home,” Holland said.
From there, the idea slowly began moving from conversation to reality.
Holland said a key moment came when his father, Burke Holland, introduced him to a local real estate developer.
“After I shared my idea, Frank Floyd looked across the table and said to me, ‘I’ll get behind that idea,’” Holland said.
As Floyd began developing Finley Landing, he made a significant commitment to the project.
“Floyd gave our nonprofit 10 lots in the neighborhood on which to construct 10 homes,” Holland said. “That was an amazing gift.”
The homes will be part of the neighborhood itself, allowing residents to live alongside other families rather than in a separate or isolated setting. Each home will be shared by two adult residents, with support provided through a combination of staff and assistive technology.
“By the close of 2026, all 10 homes should be constructed,” Holland said.
Several partners have stepped forward to help bring the vision to life. Builders Brian Herring and Nicholas Byrd of Harbinger Homes in Four Oaks are helping construct the houses at a reduced cost. The Charles Lea Center of Spartanburg, SC, will provide staffing and services for residents.
Ultimately, Holland said the goal is to create housing that allows residents to build meaningful, independent lives while remaining part of a vibrant community.
“There is a huge need across the state and nation for affordable housing for people with disabilities to reside in the community of their choice,” Holland said. “This project will help 20 people realize their dream of living as independently as possible while being wonderful neighbors to those around them.”
For the families who helped launch the effort, the homes represent more than a housing project. They represent security, belonging and the comfort of knowing their children will always have a place to call home.
