Anna Bulger, 28, photographed with her mother, Mary Chris Semrow, is a resident at the unusual special needs housing project that opened on E Street in South Portland's Knightville neighborhood in 2010.

James Ostrow sits in his room at the E Street home.

Anna Bulger, right, adds spinach to a pan while cooking with house manager Nicole Merrill.

Residents Anna Bulger and Dylan Cook eat dinner together at the home for adults with moderate mental and physical disabilities.

Anna Bulger looks out her bedroom window at the E Street home. A second home that ensures a measure of independence and oversight for adults with moderate mental and physical disabilities has been proposed for E Street.

Resident Dylan Cook plays his guitar at the E Street home.