alora

A Place to Belong. A Light to Guide.

We connect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to safe, compassionate support services — where people feel seen, supported, and truly at home.

Explore Care

Become a Host Provider

Two Paths. One Purpose: Support That Feels Like Home.

The Right Home for You or Someone You Love

We help match individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to safe, welcoming homes -- where care is personal, and the individual and their families have the power to choose whats right for them.

Explore Care

Open Your Home — Change a Life

Make a meaningful difference — and earn income — by offering a safe, supportive home for someone in need. Alora guides you every step of the way.

Become a Host Provider

OUR HISTORY

A Known Path, Newly Lit

Inspired by decades of research and real-world impact, the shared living model is more than a home — it’s a place where adults with IDD are valued, empowered, and celebrated.

It forges meaningful connections between compassionate host families and individuals with IDD, creating vibrant, inclusive households where everyone belongs.

Grounded in over 500 published studies, this model emphasizes personalized support, independence, and strong community ties. Originally pioneered in the 1960s, we’re bringing it into the modern era — with heart, purpose, and a vision for what’s possible.

At Alora, our mission is to make support personal. We believe that every person deserves not just a place to live — but a place to be seen, supported, and truly at home.

THE FOUNDER

Meet the CEO, Nicole Kanaman

Alora wasn’t born in theory — it was born in Nicole’s own home.

With a background in behavioral science and psychology, Nicole Kanaman set out to support others through clinical work. But everything changed in 2017 when she and her husband opened their home to two adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

That experience opened her eyes to a major care gap and lit the spark that became Alora Supports.

What inspired you to open your home?

I noticed a gap in residential support for adults with IDD and decided to immerse myself in the work to learn more. That experience led me to deeply appreciate the family-like model of shared living—and it’s where I truly fell in love with this approach to care.

What do you look for in a great host?

Empathy, presence, and a genuine willingness to be there—not perfection, just heart.

What does ‘home’ mean to you?

It’s where people feel safe, valued, and understood. That’s the kind of space we aim to create every day at Alora.

Where Care Feels Like Home — and Choice Comes First

Whether you’re exploring care for a loved one — or for yourself — we’re here to help you find a place that feels right. A trusted home where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Most importantly: your voice matters, and the choice is always yours.

1

Get in Touch

Reach out directly or come referred by your care coordinator.

2

Admission Interviews

We meet with you to understand your needs, preferences, and goals.

3

Matching & Choice

We present you with potential homes — you decide who is the right fit.

4

Move In

Once you’re comfortable, the move-in process begins on your terms.

5

Ongoing Support

Alora provides ongoing support to both you and your host.

Open Your Home. Make a Difference.

Being a host is more than offering a room — it’s offering stability, companionship, and meaningful support to someone who truly needs it. Alora helps you get started, match with the right individual, and succeed
long-term.

1

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you—feel free to reach out to us directly.

2

Matching Interviews

We take the time to get to know your family—learning about your lifestyle, values, and preferences—so we can determine a great fit and thoughtfully match you with someone seeking support.

3

Matching Process

Once you become a host provider, your profile is added to a list of available home options for individuals seeking support. We help guide the matching process by aligning your lifestyle, values, and preferences with those of individuals looking for care — creating the foundation for a meaningful connection.

4

Move In

Once you’re comfortable, the move-in process begins on your terms.

5

Ongoing Support

Alora provides ongoing support and regular check ins. With the Alora Support Network behind you 24/7, 365 days a year, you’re never alone on this journey.

REAL STORIES

Stories of Support, Right at Home

After our kids moved out, the house felt too quiet. Becoming hosts gave us a new sense of purpose — and someone to care for again. It’s been one of the most fulfilling things we’ve done together.
I wasn’t sure what was next after graduation. Hosting gave me financial stability, but more than that — it gave me connection. I didn’t expect to build such a meaningful bond.
We started hosting just a few months after getting married. It’s brought us even closer and taught us what shared purpose really feels like. This is how Nicole got started, and we’re proud to follow her path.

After our kids moved out, the house felt too quiet. Becoming hosts gave us a new sense of purpose — and someone to care for again. It’s been one of the most fulfilling things we’ve done together.
I wasn’t sure what was next after graduation. Hosting gave me financial stability, but more than that — it gave me connection. I didn’t expect to build such a meaningful bond.
We started hosting just a few months after getting married. It’s brought us even closer and taught us what shared purpose really feels like. This is how Nicole got started, and we’re proud to follow her path.

After our kids moved out, the house felt too quiet. Becoming hosts gave us a new sense of purpose — and someone to care for again. It’s been one of the most fulfilling things we’ve done together.
I wasn’t sure what was next after graduation. Hosting gave me financial stability, but more than that — it gave me connection. I didn’t expect to build such a meaningful bond.
We started hosting just a few months after getting married. It’s brought us even closer and taught us what shared purpose really feels like. This is how Nicole got started, and we’re proud to follow her path.

ACCREDITATION & TRUST

Trusted. Accredited. Grounded in Support.

Alora is Medicaid accredited and partners with local agencies to provide thoughtful, person-centered care you can trust.

OUR NETWORK

Support Where It Matters
and Expanding Every Day

Alora currently operates in Nebraska, with services launching soon in Missouri, Utah, and Wisconsin. Wherever we grow, we bring our promise of safety, choice, and compassionate care.

Currently Operating: Wisconsin

Coming Soon: Missouri, Utah, Nebraska

FAQ

Still Curious?
Start Here.

Do I need to own a home to become a host?

Nope! The host can rent, lease, or own the home—any arrangement is fine as long as the property passes a basic home safety inspection. This ensures the space is safe and livable, with no mold, infestations, or major hazards, and that it's reasonably accessible. Alora also provides support for minor accommodations based on individual needs during the onboarding process.

Do I need to own a home to become a host?

How does the matching process work?

The process is personal and thoughtful. First, we make sure your home meets the requirements to become a host provider. Then, we get to know your lifestyle — whether you have kids, pets, love concerts, or prefer quiet weekends outdoors. We do the same with individuals seeking support, learning about their needs and preferences. Some may need daily medical care, while others are more independent and active in the community. From there, we make intentional matches based on compatibility, shared interests, and support needs — because there’s no one “right” home, only the right fit.

How does the matching process work?

What kind of support does Alora provide after move-in?

Every host home is assigned to a Provider Development Specialists whose focus is ensure the provider (the host family) has everything they need to provide high quality supports -- at Alora our mission isnt only to provide high quality services, but to equip staff with all of the skills, resources, and community needed to provide those services and to have a fulfilling and meaningful career in this environment

What kind of support does Alora provide after move-in?

Who can become a host?

Anyone over 18 who is authorized to work in the U.S. may qualify to become a host. All residents of the home must pass a comprehensive background check, including checks for criminal history, child and adult protective services, and the sex offender registry. Your living space—whether it’s a house, apartment, or condo—must be safe, clean, accessible, and able to pass a home inspection. Hosts must also be willing to complete required training through Alora, including CPR, first aid, crisis management, and best practices in active treatment. If you’re ready to open your heart and home, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Who can become a host?

Is there financial compensation for hosts?

Yes! Compensation depends on a few factors — the level of support needed, how many individuals live in your home (usually 1–3), and the reimbursement rates in your state. Most host providers earn between $35,000 and $140,000 per year.