Easy Living Home^CM Accessible Single-Family Construction

Easy Living Home^CM (www.easylivinghome.org) and Concrete Change (www.concretechange.org) have organized stakeholders in Georgia to promote the benefits of accessible single family construction to builders and consumers. Also known as "visitable" or "zero-step construction," certified homes feature an accessible entrance and route through the home, as well as common design elements that simplify everyday tasks and accommodate people of all abilities.

Participation in the program is voluntary, and the group provides simple guidelines for designing and building accessible homes. The partnership provides marketing support to participating builders and certifies homes that meet simple accessibility criteria, much like the "Super Good Cents" program that recognizes energy efficient construction. The group is seeking interested coalitions in other parts of the country to expand the service and outreach to a broader audience.

There are several practical advantages to increasing the stock of accessible housing:

• Growing market for accessible housing among Baby Boomers and their parents
• Reduced tripping hazards and enhanced everyday convenience
• Increased independence for individuals experiencing short- or long-term disability
• Alternative to institutionalization for those with mobility impairments
• Potential for dramatic cost reductions to Idaho's Medicaid budget (in-home care vs. institutional care), with an estimated average of $32,000 per eligible individual, or $3.2 million per 100 accessible single-family homes that make home-based care possible
• Greatly reduced cost of designing accessible features up front (approximately $300 per home) vs. adapting inaccessible structures following injury or illness (several thousand dollars)
• Increased usable life of the structure and broader market of potential buyers