The CCDS VisitAbility Project VisitAble Housing: From Concept to Reality March 23, 2016 Allen Mankewich Canadian Centre on Disability Studies 1

Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) Re-envisioning community through collaborative research, education and development on cross-disability issues, inclusive of mental health. Guided by, and works out of, the values of inclusion, equity and participation. Partnerships with the disability community, corporate sector, academia and government. 2

Acknowledgement of Funders: CCDS’ VisitAbility Project Government of Canada's Social Development Partnerships Program — Disability Component Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation 3

VisitAbility Project 3 year national initiative (May 2013 – March 2016) Goal: To promote visitable housing in Canada Key Activities:  Research (literature review, environmental scan, Bridgwater case study, etc.)  Resource list  Visitability Awards of Excellence  Online campaign  Development information/promotional materials Six task forces across Canada:  Two First Nations on Vancouver Island  Richmond  Edmonton  Winnipeg  Ottawa  Kitchener-Waterloo 4

Concept of VisitAble Housing Visit+Able Three basic accessibility features: 1.No step entrance 2.Wider doorways and hallways 3.A main floor washroom that can be accessed by visitors who use mobility devices 5

Advantages Facilitates social inclusion. Easy access for everyone. Good option for:  people with mobility issues  those with young children in strollers,  those carrying groceries, large items, furniture, or equipment. Aging in place. Reduced risks of fall or injuries. 6

Perspectives Market Demand? Common Perception: The market is not demanding it. Visitability Advocates: Consumers are not aware of the concept.. Regulation? Common Perception: Homes are a private domain and shouldn’t be subject to regulation. Visitability Advocates: Homes are built based on various laws, building codes, and by-laws which regulate detailed conditions (e.g. smoke detectors). 7

Perspectives Costs? Common Perception: VisitAbility increases construction costs, making homes less affordable. Visitability Advocates: Additional costs are minimal when planned during the design phase. Factors to costs: Topography, design for no-step entrance, basement design, compensation for reduced living spaces Site Constraints? Common Perception: Many sites have major constraints to make the zero-step entry. Visitability Advocates: Only a small portion of sites have constraints that prevent a zero- step entry. 8

Policies in VisitAble Housing in Canada 2014 Building By-Law, Vancouver, British Columbia Applies to all newly built homes, including condos and apartments Wider doors and hallways. Main floor bathroom that allows for independent use by a person using a wheelchair. Accessibility Design Standards and Visitable Housing Guidelines, Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg’s 2010 Accessibility Design Standards defines visitable housing. The Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation provided visitable housing guidelines that builders must follow in Bridgwater. 9

Best Practice in Canada - Bridgwater Project  A housing development project initiated by Province of Manitoba.  The first neighbourhood plan in Canada that includes a large proportion of housing to be built as visitable.  Approximately 1,200 single-family homes will be built with visitable features in three neighbourhoods in Bridgwater. 10

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Case Study Methods and Participants Document review Individual interviews  Intended to examine perceptions and experience about visitable housing among stakeholders involved in the project.  21 participants (6 homeowners/residents, 3 policy makers, 3 building and development consultants, 6 homebuilders, and 3 home salespersons). Residents’ Survey 40 residents participated in the survey. 16

Findings on Bridgwater Project Fastest selling neighbourhood in Winnipeg. Visitable housing is marketable and has a marketing value. The most positive feedback came from the residents in the neighbourhood. Building professionals noted that their perception of visitable housing had changed from skeptical or resistant to positive. 17

Findings on Bridgwater Project Negative Feedback:  Additional costs  construction issues  restrictions on basements (e.g. basement height and windows)  reduced living space 18

BC First Nations Task Force 19 Redrafted housing policies. Resolution passed at 2015 BC First Nations Summit. Resolution passed at the 2015 Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly. The BC First Nations Task Force will continue to work with First Nations across Canada to promote visitable housing.

Richmond Task Force Website Public presentations Visitable housing promoted through the Real Estate Magazine and the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association. Experts on visitable housing, housing options and accessible renovations presented to the task force. VisitAbility brochure was mailed out to over 800 accessible parking permit holders in Survey with renovators. 20

Edmonton Task Force Dinner dialogue Support letter campaign Public presentations Development of contact list Presented to City Hall and administrative staff Blatchford Townhouse visitability feasibility report University of Alberta student involvement Home for Life report and partnership 21

Winnipeg Task Force Developed guidelines and standards document. Worked with student groups on awards programs. Conference outreach. Realtor education seminar. Promotional material created and disseminated. 22

Kitchener-Waterloo Task Force Creating information packages for different stakeholder groups (policy makers, housing professionals, and consumers). Conducting research on visitable housing. Making an inventory of local examples of visitable housing. Presenting to housing industry and political leaders. 23

Ottawa Task Force Worked with City of Ottawa’s Affordable Housing Unit. The City of Ottawa 2015 Accessibility Design Standards. Outreach to surrounding municipalities. Visitable townhouse competition. Trade show and media opportunities 24

Lessons, Strategies, and Recommendations Take a multi-faceted approach – reach out to all stakeholders. Consider both mandatory requirements and incentives. Look for opportunities where visitability can be incorporated over the short term, while developing wide-scale visitability. Market visitability as an option for everyone. Further work is required to promote the concept. This project was too short to gain much traction. 25

For More Information Please visit: or Canadian Centre on Disability Studies Osborne Street North Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3C 1V