AARP HomeFit Model Ordinance

The nation’s housing stock is primarily designed for young, able-bodied adults. As a result, without renovations, most homes in the United States don’t meet the needs of older residents or people with disabilities.

The misalignment between home design and a rapidly aging U.S. population inspired the AARP HomeFit Guide, a 36-page, fully illustrated, free and easy-to-use publication that’s filled with practical tips for making a home comfortable, safe and suitable for people of all ages, and especially for older adults. (See the box below.)

The AARP HomeFit Model Ordinance: Local and State Legislative Guide to Universal Design in Housing is a companion resource to that publication.

Homes that are created or renovated using universal design principles (click on the link for a quick introduction) are more suitable for living independently and aging in place.

The model ordinance, which AARP developed in collaboration with The RL Mace Universal Design Institute, can help state and local leaders integrate universal design into housing laws.

• Download a 95-page PDF (single pages, letter-sized paper)

• Download a 48-page PDF (spread pages, tabloid-sized paper)

• Find this page again: AARP.org/HomeFitModelOrdinance

Home Safe Home

• The 2024 AARP Home and Community Preferences Survey shows that most Americans want to remain in their current homes and communities as they age. Many acknowledge they’ll need to make changes to their home to accommodate future physical limitations. The bathroom is the room most cited as needing improvements.

• The free AARP HomeFit Guide can help individuals, families and caregivers make a home safer for residents of all ages.

• The free AARP Housing Design Competition Tool Kit can help encourage the use of universal design in new or renovated housing. 

• Find more articles and publications about housing in the AARP Livability Library.

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