WHEREAS the Measuring Up The North project has identified that a lack of accessible housing for people with disabilities and seniors is an issue throughout the NCMA region, and it has been identified through research that this issue is province wide; AND WHEREAS our aging demographic will increase the pressure on existing housing stock: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the provincial government to develop an incentive program to encourage private sector developers to build accessible, universally designed housing. The definition of Universal Design is the design of environments, products, and services that are useable by all people regardless of age, ability or size. - The Center of Universal Design, Raleigh, North Carolina
Ministry of Housing and Social Development Under the Community Charters concurrent authority provisions, local governments need provincial approval to adopt new or amended building bylaws that include technical standards that vary from the Building Code. Several local governments have expressed their interest in applying adaptable housing standards in their communities. In response, the Ministry of Housing and Social Development has worked with representatives of the construction industry and local governments to develop a set of adaptable housing standards that can be applied consistently across the province, by local governments that choose to apply them. The standards are currently being finalized and will be published later this year. Adaptable housing is an approach to universal design, in which homes are designed and built with features that can be adapted to meet the occupants changing needs. By building flexibility into homes from the beginning, adaptable housing makes it possible for occupants to remain in their homes as their needs change. Adaptable housing standards address design in residential, multi-unit buildings to: -help people remain in their own homes through illness, injury and aging; -provide an increased level of accessibility for persons with disabilities; and -reduce the cost of future renovations to accommodate persons with disabilities