At first glance, it may look like another residential project rising in South Florida. But this community is different – this is Casa Familia.
Designed specifically for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities – including autism, Down syndrome, and traumatic brain injuries – the campus is being built with this goal in mind: independence.
“I always knew that I would live a life just like any other person,” said resident Elizabeth Alonzo, who recently moved into the community.
Casa Familia aims to provide that opportunity within a supportive environment.
“What Casa Familia offers is choice to individuals who want to live in a group setting, in a setting where we have special amenities and services to support them to create the best possible life for residents,” said Marc Plonskier, Director of Casa Familia.
The Casa Familia campus is designed around community and connection.
Plans include shared amenities such as an art room, movie theater, gym, kitchen. classroom, and outdoor gathering spaces.
The layout is intentional — meant to reduce isolation and help residents establish routine and social interaction.
Developers also carefully considered sensory sensitivities common among individuals with autism. Individuals who live with autism oftentimes have sound sensitivity, and they certainly thought about that in so many other factors when they built these apartments and the clubhouse as well.
The doors and windows are soundproof.
Among the new residents is Elizabeth Alonzo, who suffered a brain injury at birth. Doctors once told her parents she would never walk, see, or talk.
Today, at 30 years old, she is thriving as a resident at The Village of Casa Familia.
“Having your own apartment is an achievement,” Alonzo said. “Me with a disability, which I call a superpower, is I hope it means that it can tell people respect, dignity, and treating people the same, because we’re just like everybody else.”
Affordability is also a key component of the development.
Rent subsidies provided by Miami-Dade County allow residents to pay just 30% of their income for housing.
Construction continues across the campus.
The first 50 apartment units—known as The Village at Casa Familia —are already welcoming residents, with additional work underway.
The Gardens at Casa Familia will offer 50 more units, and The Residences will feature four six-bedroom homes staffed 24 hours a day to provide around-the-clock support.
Those homes are expected to be completed in 2027.
While construction continues, residents like Alonzo are already building the lives they dreamed of.
“I always knew that I would live a life just like any other person,” she said. “That I would have the independence that each and every person I saw around me had—and that I would help others find that same world-changing capability that my parents gave me.”