Butler County’s Community Options Office is growing its programs and services as part of an ongoing mission to empower those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization recently purchased a residential property at 148 Double Road in Connoquenessing Township for $350,000. Two individuals eventually will have a permanent home at that location, with support staff available as needed, according to Tim Hawk, executive director of the nonprofit.

It will be the 15th home the nonprofit operates within the county. The other 14 are scattered across Franklin Township, Butler Township, Zelienople, Butler, West Sunbury, Center Township and Fombell, which is right across the border in Beaver County.

Each dwelling is rigorously vetted before any purchase is made.

“We look for nice homes that are in good condition in nice neighborhoods,” Hawk said. “A lot of it comes down to — if we have an individual identified — their specific needs. For instance, if an individual has any kind of problem with mobility, we’re going to look for more of a ranch-style home since it’s easier to get in and out of and move around within the home.”

A steep incline in housing prices over the last decade, however, has forced the nonprofit to be more selective.

“It’s really hard to get into anything right now unless you’re around that $400,000 figure,” Hawk said. “It’s really kind of nauseating from that standpoint of how much it costs. There’s times where we have to accept it a little more because we want that level of accessibility.”

Community Options, founded in 1989 and based out of Princeton, N.J., supports more than 5,000 disabled individuals and operates more than 50 offices in 12 states. Across Pennsylvania, the nonprofit runs more than 120 group homes.