Virginia Accessible Housing Solutions
Virginia 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.
2

Learning Objectives
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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.
3

Learning Objectives

To understand the needs and requirements of persons with varying disabilities and mobility impairments and how accessibility design guidelines were developed.
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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.
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To understand the goals, approaches, & accessible features of universal design & visitability.
4

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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The Need for Accessible Housing


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.
6

The Need for Accessible Housing


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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The Need for Accessible Housing

There is a substantial, and largely untapped, market that would directly benefit from an increased availability of single family housing with accessible design features.
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A variety of market forces will make accessible features increasingly desirable
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The Need for Accessible Housing


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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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Hierarchy of Accessibility
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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:
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Allow maximum utility of space for broadest range of people.
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Generally voluntary, although there may be
“best practices” .
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Increasing use by state and local governments of incentives to encourage; some localities have mandatory requirements.
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Inclusionary Design Goals:
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Use of visitability features & Universal
Design is human, sensible, & good marketing
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Addresses safety & mobility needs of changing population
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Universal Design can apply to ALL housing types
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Development of Inclusionary
Design
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
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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
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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
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Allow flexibility to adapt to changing needs – including aging-in-place
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Allow guests with mobility impairments to visit
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Reduce common causes of home accidents
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Make everyday life activities simpler.
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One zero-step entrance, at the front, back or side of the house
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All main floor doors, including bathrooms, with at least 32 inches of clear passage space
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At least a half bath, preferably a full bath, on the main floor
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Visitability
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Cost-efficient benefits to wide range of residents & visitors
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Makes future accessibility adaptations relatively easy
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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
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PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in
Use

The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
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Principles of Universal Design
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PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and
Intuitive Use
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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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Principles of Universal Design
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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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Principles of Universal Design
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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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Principles of Universal Design
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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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Principles of Universal Design
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PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and
Space for Approach and Use
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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
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EasyLiving Home Virginia
Voluntary certification program
To encourage architects & builders of single family homes, duplexes, triplexes to include specific accessibility features in new homes
36

Universal Design in Virginia

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
37

Universal Design in Virginia

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
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3 requirements:

Easy Access
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Easy Passage
Easy Use
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Easy Access
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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
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Exterior door that provides stepfree 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
48

Measuring Exercise
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How do you measure the clear passage of doorways?
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Measuring clear door width
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Easy Use
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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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Universal Design in Virginia
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Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit
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$5000 tax credit for purchase of newly constructed residence with accessible features integrated into the construction

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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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Universal Design Examples
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Universal Design Examples
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Universal Design Examples
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
1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act

Disability as protected class for all real estate-related transactions

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Accessible design and construction requirements ONLY for “covered multifamily units” – NOT single family homes
General requirements for reasonable modifications and accommodations applies to any housing covered by
FHAA
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
1991 Americans with Disabilities Act


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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
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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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Resources
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VHDA on developing housing for persons with disabilities

Housing 101 http://www.vhda.com/BusinessPartners/Govand
Non-Profits/REACHVirginia/Outreach-
Liaison/Documents/Housing-101.pdf
The Center for Universal Design, NC
State University
 http://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/desig n/sod5/cud/
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Resources
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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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Questions & Answers
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