Chilliwack– The B.C. government in partnership with SAFERhome Standard Society will conduct a pilot research study to gather data on the costs and benefits of incorporating universal design features which help meet the changing needs of homeowners in residential buildings.
The Society will work with Englewood Courtyard Management Ltd to incorporate their 19-point SAFERhome standards and achieve SAFERhome certification for up to 156 units at the new Englewood Courtyard development located at 45750 Keith Wilson Road in Chilliwack.
The Government of B.C., through BC Housing’s Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), will provide up to $93,600 for the SAFERhome certification of units.
The 19-point SAFERhome standards create homes that are built for changing lifestyle needs over time, including wider doorframes with little to no thresholds, wider hallways and stairs, easier access to bath/shower controls and electrical outlets and smart-ready technology to connect phone lines, video and computer systems.
Quotes:
John Martin, MLA for Chilliwack
“Our government strives towards making more accessible homes available for those who wish to age in place and the SAFERhome certification is a step forward in this direction. We will continue to seek out and support innovative solutions that meet the diverse housing needs of British Columbians at all stages of life.”
Patrick Simpson, Executive Director, SAFERhome Standards Society –
“Universal design is about everyone. It’s a way of keeping children safer, a way of more easily having grandparents live or visit at home, and a way to age in place with dignity. Universal design creates more inclusive communities and supports inter-generational living. Our partnership with Englewood Courtyard Management Ltd is our first research project with a developer to incorporate our 19-point SAFERhome standards into a multi-unit residential building. We hope to build more partnerships with developers and to use the research HPO will gather to change the landscape of housing for British Columbians today and into the future. ”
Mark Perry, Principal, Englewood Courtyard Management Ltd
“We are thrilled to be breaking ground for our Englewood Courtyard project and proud to partner with both the BC government and SAFERhome Standard Society to create homes that will meet the changing needs of homeowners as they age.”
Quick Facts:
SAFERhome Standard Society is a non-profit, public interest organization established in 2004. SAFERhome promotes the adoption and use of housing standards and practices to create safe, healthy and sustainable homes for everyone in the community.
In 2008, the Government of B.C. provided a $100,000 grant to SAFERhome Standards Society to assist them in implementing their certification and education programs to create safe, healthy and sustainable homes for aging in place.
Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $3.6 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 98,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial housing programs and services.
In 2012-13, the B.C. government invested over $5.7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for nearly 1,200 Chilliwack households.
Learn More:
To learn more about affordable housing in B.C., visit: www.bchousing.org
To learn more about the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), a Branch of BC Housing, visit: www.hpo.bc.ca
To learn more about SAFERhome Standard Society, visit: www.saferhomesociety.com
Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445
Connect with the Government of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect