LATONIA — These are exciting times in the Hamm household. After 52 years of living together, Gary Hamm and his mother are parting ways.

        She predicts he'll start splurging on Pepsi-Cola.

        He predicts ... well, Gary just smiles. He's thrilled to be on the verge of independence. So is his mom.

        For years, Lauretta Hamm has worried about her son's future when she's gone. Now she finally has peace of mind. Next month she'll become the first parent in Northern Kentucky to donate her home to The Point, a nonprofit agency that serves the developmentally disabled.

        Gary will have the right to stay in the home as long as he lives.

        The Point will maintain it, buy food, pay utilities and recruit two roommates — men who also have slight developmental disabilities. A Point employee will check on them occasionally.

        It's an innovative solution to the lack of housing for people like Gary, who need help to live independently. In Hamilton County, the nonprofit Housing Network Inc. also is talking to older parents about turning over their homes.

        “I'm getting up there in years,” says Mrs. Hamm, 72. “Gary is my main reason for doing this, because I know he'll be taken care of, and he'll be happy.”
       

A unique arrangement
        The truth is that independence works both ways. Mrs. Hamm can't wait to move into an apartment in a nearby retirement complex. She longs for companions her own age.

        “Gary and I don't like the same television programs. We don't like the same music,” Mrs. Hamm says cheerfully. “I was climbing the walls. The kids told me I needed to get me a life.”

        She has four other grown children. Her home is mortgage-free, and by donating it to The Point, she's giving away their inheritance.

        But they told her they didn't mind. In fact, it was Mrs. Hamm's daughters, Laurie Peace and Kathy Patton, who first learned of the donation possibility from Point administrator Gayle Saunders.

        Such arrangements are ideal for The Point, because it can avoid the expense of a live-in staff member. Gary and his new roommates work part-time and receive some government benefits. Each will pay about $400 in rent, which The Point will use for household expenses.
       

New roommates for both

        Gary says his mother has been a good roommate. But he's thinking ahead. His new companions, for instance, may need a handrail to reach his rooms upstairs, where he has a working jukebox, an enormous stereo system and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling.

        “I've got a new couch upstairs, too. You can lean back and relax and everything,” he says.

        In the easy manner of good friends, he and his mom joke about their eagerness for the new arrangement.

        Mrs. Hamm recently mentioned that she would be moving out next month with a certain blanket stored in the basement.

        Gary, intent on beautifying the house, washed the draperies and brought them upstairs — along with the blanket.

        “What are you doing with that?” his mom asked.

        “I just brought it up for you,” he replied.

        “Gary, I'm not leaving yet!”

        Recalling that moment, Mrs. Hamm laughs with delight. As usual, Gary smiles.

        Karen Samples is the Enquirer's Kentucky columnist. She can be reached at (859) 578-5584 or at ksamples@enquirer.com.
       

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