Housing You Can Live With: Universal Design, Accessibility & Visitability in Single Family Housing

Housing You Can Live With: Universal Design, Accessibility &

Visitability in Single Family Housing

Virginia Accessible Housing SolutionsVirginia Association of Realtors

2011

Introduction

This course designed to provide housing professionals with an overview of: the increasing marketability, desirability and

need for accessible single-family housing a description of the approaches, goals & essential

elements of universal design & accessibility features for aging-in-place and visitability.

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Learning Objectives

To understand the increasing need for and marketability of a broad range of accessible single family housing choices for persons with disabilities, seniors, and their families, caregivers, and friends.

To recognize that support for and implementation of universal design standards & visitability features benefit ALL housing consumers.

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Learning Objectives To understand the needs and requirements of

persons with varying disabilities and mobility impairments and how accessibility design guidelines were developed.

To encourage development & marketing of accessible features in single family housing as an opportunity to meet the needs of a growing segment of the population.

To understand the goals, approaches, & accessible features of universal design & visitability.

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The Need for Accessible Housing

According to the 2010 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 36 million Americans have some form of disability, and nearly 20 million of them have an “ambulatory difficulty”.

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More than 2.7 million people over the age of 15 years use a wheelchair

Another 7 million use a cane, crutches, a walker or other mobility aid.

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The 2009 American Community Survey estimates over 800,000 persons with some form of disability in Virginia.

Nearly 1 million people in Virginia are age 65 or over and a third has some form of disability.

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There is a substantial, and largely untapped, market that would directly benefit from an increased availability of single family housing with accessible design features.

A variety of market forces will make accessible features increasingly desirable

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Nearly 90% of adults 50+ want to stay in their homes as long as possible

Greater integration of people with disabilities in community & workplace

Viable homeowners Likely visitors Adult children with disabilities living at

home Returning veterans need accessible housing

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Need for Accessible Housing

Accessible housing is an essential means of ensuring that people with disabilities are able to fully participate in community life.

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Need for Accessible Housing

Many persons with disabilities and seniors can afford a variety of accessible housing choices.

But the hardest combination to find is Accessible and affordable housing

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Group Activity/Discussion:

What experiences have you had with a temporary or long-term disability?

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Definitions:

Disability: A physical or mental impairment which

substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment

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Definitions:

Accessibility: A continuous and unobstructed way of

travel from any point in a building or facility that provides a barrier-free route to an area of refuge, a horizontal exit, or a public way.

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Definitions:

Adaptable: An area, space, building or housing unit

which can easily be made accessible with minor additions or modifications.

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Definitions:

Universal Design: The design of products and

environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation of specialized design.

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Definitions:

Visitability: Building a minimal set of accessibility

features that allow persons with disabilities to visit others in the community and be able to move around and use first-floor entrance and bathroom.

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There is NO current federal legal requirement that new or existing single family housing be accessible to people with disabilities.

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Overview of Inclusionary Design

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Hierarchy of Accessibility

No accessibility features Minimal features that allow entry

and use of essential rooms Essential accessibility features that

allow for adaptation Full accessibility

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Inclusionary Design Goals:

Allow maximum utility of space for broadest range of people.

Generally voluntary, although there may be “best practices” .

Increasing use by state and local governments of incentives to encourage; some localities have mandatory requirements.

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Inclusionary Design Goals:

Use of visitability features & Universal Design is human, sensible, & good marketing

Addresses safety & mobility needs of changing population

Universal Design can apply to ALL housing types

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Development of Inclusionary Design

Consideration of “human factors” in the built environment

Anthropometrics – the dimension & functional capacity of the human body

Ergonomics – the application of human factors to design

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Development of Inclusionary Design

Basis of accessible design is the wheelchair user – if a space is designed to be usable for wheelchair, it will be accessible for wide range of mobility characteristics.

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Universal Design & Visitability

Universal Design is the idea of making things comfortable and convenient for as many different people at as many stages of life as possible (Iowa Program for Assistive Technology)

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Universal Design & Visitability

Allow flexibility to adapt to changing needs – including aging-in-place

Allow guests with mobility impairments to visit

Reduce common causes of home accidents

Make everyday life activities simpler.

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3 Essential Features of Home Design for Visitability

One zero-step entrance, at the front, back or side of the house

All main floor doors, including bathrooms, with at least 32 inches of clear passage space

At least a half bath, preferably a full bath, on the main floor

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Visitability

Cost-efficient benefits to wide range of residents & visitors

Makes future accessibility adaptations relatively easy

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The Principles of Universal Design NC State University, Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use

The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

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Principles of Universal Design

PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use

The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

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PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use

Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

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PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information

The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

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PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error

The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

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PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort

The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

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PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and Space for Approach and Use

Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.

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Universal Design in Virginia

EasyLiving Home Virginia Voluntary certification program To encourage architects & builders

of single family homes, duplexes, triplexes to include specific accessibility features in new homes

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EasyLiving Home Collaborative effort of Home Builders

Association of Virginia, individual builders, Virginia Housing Development Authority, AARP, Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, and others

The EasyLiving Home certification is designed to meet the needs of an emerging market and to encourage builders to include cost-effective features that enhance the accessibility and visitability of single family homes

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Virginia Accessible Housing Solutions, Inc. Non-profit organization developed

cooperatively by representatives of the building industry, government, and accessibility advocates to promote change in construction practices without adversely affecting builders or home buyers.

VAHS certifies EasyLiving homes

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Easy Living Home certification

3 requirements: Easy Access Easy Passage Easy Use

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Easy Access

A step-free entrance and threshold (not more than ½”) - from driveway, sidewalk or other firm route into the central living area

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Stepless Entry

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Stepless Entry

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Stepless entry with operable sidelight

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Stepless entry

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w

Stepless entry from garage with package shelf

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Easy Passage

Exterior door that provides step-free entrance

Minimum 32” clear passage through every interior door on main level

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Interior doors

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Access to closet

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Measuring Exercise

How do you measure the clear passage of doorways?

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Measuring clear door width

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Easy Use

No less than 1 bedroom, kitchen, some entertainment area on main floor

At least 1 full bathroom with sufficient maneuvering space on main floor

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Accessible kitchen

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Accessible kitchen

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Accessible kitchen features

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Accessible kitchen cupboards & drawers

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Accessible kitchen features

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Kitchen layout & features

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Accessible bath

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Accessible bath

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Accessible bath

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Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit $5000 tax credit for purchase of newly

constructed residence with accessible features integrated into the construction

Up to 50% of the cost of retrofitting an existing home (not to exceed $5,000)

Administered by Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD)

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Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit

New residential units must include at least 3 features of universal visitability standards OR 3 accessibility features.

Existing unit retrofitting must include at least 1 accessibility or visitability feature.

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Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit

For more information on requirements, application, and limitations, see:

www.dhcd.virginia.gov/lhtc

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http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/lhtc

Universal Design Examples

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Some disability protections that apply to single family housing:

1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act Disability as protected class for all real

estate-related transactions Accessible design and construction

requirements ONLY for “covered multi-family units” – NOT single family homes

General requirements for reasonable modifications and accommodations applies to any housing covered by FHAA

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Some disability protections that apply to single family housing:

1991 Americans with Disabilities Act Does not directly cover private

residential housing Title II covers services, programs and

activities provided or made available by public entities (state & local governments)

Title III covers public accommodations & commercial facilities, including those related to housing or amenities held open to the public.

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Resources

EasyLiving Home 804-643-EASY (3279) www.elhomes.org

DHCD Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit – www.dhcd.virginia.gov/lhtc

Concrete Change http://www.concretechange.org/

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http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/lhtc

Resources

VHDA on developing housing for persons with disabilities Housing 101 -

http://www.vhda.com/BusinessPartners/GovandNon-Profits/REACHVirginia/Outreach-Liaison/Documents/Housing-101.pdf

The Center for Universal Design, NC State University http://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/

design/sod5/cud/

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Resources

AccessVA – Virginia’s Accessible Housing Resource http://www.accessva.org/

Barrier Free Homes listings www.barrierfreehome.com

Fair Housing FIRST http://www.fairhousingfirst.org

FHL Bank – Accessibility Rehabilitation Loans www.fhlbatl.com

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http://www.barrierfreehome.com/

http://www.fhlbatl.com/

Questions & Answers

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