Housing Accessibility
Accessibility and Visitability Features in Single-family Homes: A Review of State and Local Activity
Research Report
Andrew Kochera, AARP Public Policy Institute
March 2002
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According to a 2000 AARP survey, more than 90% of persons age 65 and older would prefer to stay in their current residence as long as possible. For those who develop activity-limiting disabilities, this may be difficult or impossible since many homes with disabled older residents lack the structural features necessary for meeting this challenge.
In this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper, Andrew Kochera reviews the methods that various state and local jurisdictions are using to promote accessibility features in new single family homes. These methods include: builder requirements for housing built with a public subsidy; builder requirements or incentives for unsubsidized housing; tax or fee incentives to the consumer; and consumer awareness campaigns. Also discussed are types of architectural guidelines, costs associated with various features, and issues of consumer acceptance. (36 pages)
Pub ID: 2002-03