Frequently Asked Questions

Residential Community FAQs

• Who qualifies to live at a Sunflower Hill residential community?
  Sunflower Hill provides affordable, independent, supportive housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including (but not limited to) autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other chromosomal abnormalities, in a welcoming and supportive community.  Apartments at Irby Ranch are rented to income-qualified residents at a rate of 30-60% AMI (local area/average median income). Residents are typically clients of California’s Regional Center system.
• How do I get on the waitlist for a future Sunflower Hill community?
  At this time, we do not have any information on the application process for our future communities in Lafayette and Dublin. The best way to stay informed on future housing opportunities is to sign up to receive our newsletter.
• Does Sunflower Hill provide care services for residents?
  No. Residents of Sunflower Hill are responsible for their own apartment and day-to-day care management. Each resident works with their Regional Center case manager and direct service provider for their one-on-one, individualized needs. Sunflower Hill at Irby Ranch is not a licensed facility, or assisted living, but rather a consumer-driven independent living community.  However, Sunflower Hill does provide an array of on-site activities, similar to those provided in senior living communities.
• Do you offer tours of Irby Ranch?
  We are not currently offering tours, but invite you to watch our tour video for an overview of our Irby Ranch community and the amenities available.
• Who handles the leasing and property management at Irby Ranch?
  The waitlist for apartments at Irby Ranch has been closed for several years.  However, property management for Sunflower Hill at Irby Ranch is managed by Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA).
• What is the difference between a Sunflower Hill-planned community and a development with units set aside for Sunflower Hill?
  Irby Ranch (Pleasanton), Grace Pointe (Dublin), and 949 Moraga (Lafayette) are affordable housing communities that have been/will be planned by Sunflower Hill and our partner, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), a leading area provider of affordable housing.  These independent, affordable residential communities are specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  Francis Ranch (Dublin) will be managed by Eden Housing as a multi-family affordable housing community. Eden is partnering with Sunflower on the “set aside” of 20 rental units specifically for people with I/DD. Sunflower Hill will provide onsite, person-centered enrichment activities for those 20 residents and the greater I/DD community.

Program FAQs

• Who can attend programs at Sunflower Hill?
  Sunflower Hill at Irby Ranch offers programs and activities for both residents and nonresidents in the general I/DD community. Most of our programs are designed for adults ages 18+, though select activities are also open to younger teen participants. View our Activities page to register for enrichment programs at Irby Ranch.
  We also hold seasonal garden programs at The Sunflower Hill Garden in Livermore, offering educational, therapeutic, and life skills training.  View our Garden Programs page to register for Hands-On Garden Group Programs and Garden Explorers Summer Camp page (for ages 13+) to register for our annual summer day camp.
• Are Sunflower Hill programs drop-off?
  If a participant requires 1:1 support to engage in an activity, it is required to bring your own support.  A parent, caregiver, or support staff member should plan to attend and fully participate in each activity, supporting the participant as needed.  Sunflower Hill staff does not provide 1:1 support during activities.