Inclusive Home Design Act Introduced

For Immediate Release:

March 11, 2009 

  

CHICAGO – Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago applauds the introduction of new federal legislation called the Inclusive Home Design Act (IHDA).  The new legislation, introduced on March 10 by U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, will dramatically increase the number of homes accessible to people with disabilities. 

The Inclusive Home Design Act aims to increase the number of homes accessible to people with disabilities by applying visitability standards.  The principle of visitability seeks to create homes that are affordable and sustainable, and utilize a design approach that integrates accessibility features into newly-built homes. 

 

The legislation intends to reverse a national trend that locks people with disabilities out of the housing market.  Currently, 95 percent of new single-family homes and townhouses built with federal assistance fail to incorporate accessibility features, making it impossible for many people with disabilities to live in or visit the homes. “Whether you have a disability or you don’t have a disability, everyone needs and everyone has a right to housing,” said Beto Barrera, Access Living’s Housing Team Leader.  “Because we continue to build inaccessible housing in this country, housing options for people with disabilities are severely limited.”  

 

The Inclusive Home Design Act would require that all newly-built single-family homes and townhouses receiving federal funds meet four specific standards:

 

·         Include at least one accessible ("zero step") entrance into the home

·         Ensure all doorways on the main floor have a minimum of 32 inches of clear passage space

·         Build at least one wheelchair accessible bathroom on the main floor

·         Place electrical and climate controls (such as light switches and thermostats) at heights reachable from a wheelchair

 

“We applaud the Schakowsky for building support around, and introducing the Inclusive Home Design Act,” Barrera went on.  “With this new legislation, the housing market for people with disabilities will open up dramatically.  Not only will we recognize the right of people with disabilities to pursue housing opportunities on a more level playing field, we will save thousands of dollars in renovation and retrofitting costs.” 

 

The legislation applies only to new construction.  The average added cost per home for the required features runs from $98 to $573.  Adding accessible features after construction often costs several thousand dollars.

 

Chicago’s only center for independent living, Access Living is a cross-disability organization, nationally recognized as a leader in the field of independent living and a premier local provider of services for people with disabilities. 

 

For more information contact Gary Arnold at Access Living, 312-640-2199 (voice), 312-640-2102 (TTY).    

Comments

[Elisabeth Ellenbogen]

America's people live longer and survive trauma. Thus there is an increase in the population that uses adaptive aids. National policy should focus on this rising need because it makes economic sense. People can live independently at a fraction of the cost of congregate environments.

[Jan Stout]

I assume that the accessible bathroom includes a zero step or minimum one shallow step shower. Many of us can not stay in most homes and many hotels simply because the bathing facilities are not accessible.

I am ambulatory following a stroke at a young age, but can not climb stairs/steps or get into a tub, or get out safely. Grab bars, even if installed, often are very poorly placed for those who are of short stature.

[Mike Fitzpatrick]

Visibility standards are also suitable for the Elderly. Regarding this cause it would be beneficial to attempt to recruit and include the aging population for a combined advocacy effort.

[theresa powers]

Why only to new construction? What about us who live in public housing where they have completly gutted the interior but left the shell of the original building? I am ambulatory but have a difficult time with steps and getting in and out of the tub. I have 14 steps to get to my main living floor ( no powder room there) and 14 more steps to get to the bathroom bedroom area! No grab bars in the bathroom either. There are townhomes here with no barriers to get into the main floor,which is street level,and a powder room on that floor. I have been told I have to be put on a waiting list to get into one of these,where able bodied people now occupy. I can't seem to find help to remedy this situation. This is a government run community! What a joke

[John Smith]

theresa has it right! the government can't do this right. when has the government ever got it right?
keep government out of the details of our lives!!

[Easy Grow Greenhouse]

Great post! It was very well researched and I enjoyed it very much. I bookmarked your site and will be back very soon, I look forward to reading some interesting posts! Thanks, Whitney

[used digger trucks]

About three years ago I decided to build my own home instead of hiring the expensive contractors. It was actually quite easy, even with my limited knowledge of construction. I am just thankful that I had the bucket truck handy because my pick up couldn’t cut it.

[BUcket Truck]

I think Its great the government its thinking about people with disability's, hopefully they will help make this places affordable for them, so they can actually benefit from this

[Boom Truck]

Great post! It was extremely informative. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.

[Utility Bucket Truck]

What a very interesting post! Really, A+ work! Nice!

[bucket trucks]

home building has taken a little break since the economy is so low at the moment but it will be picking up soon.

crane trucks