VisitAble HousingFrom Concept to Reality: Policy Change Directions

Presentation by Kitchener-Waterloo Task Force

March 23, 2016

Local VisitAble Housing Task Force

Develop awareness and commitment to

implementing VisitAble Housing in Waterloo Region

Local Task Force is one of six (6) across Canada working with Canadian Centre on Disabilities Studies (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Local Task Force

Members reflect different perspectives

Role:Planning stakeholder engagementInput and testing of research and education materialsEngagement stakeholder groups e.g. making

presentations

Policy Change DirectionsBuilding Code – specific definition of visit-able housing

features as a basic standard

Ontario’s growth plan to increase intensification and the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act and Standards – these could be competing visions

Federal, Provincial and Regional affordable housing

investments – this is one area that could require visit-able housing as a standard to qualify for funds which could be included at any or all orders of government

Local Policies and GuidelinesMunicipal official plans – all in Waterloo Region have language that

would encourage visit-able features– City of Waterloo encourages visit-able homes: we ask that this language be strengthened to acknowledge VisitAble features as a basic standard for accessibility

Technical guidelines for less well known no step entrance solutions – provide assistance to builders and work with builders and developers to provide consistent support

Zoning Bylaws – simplify these and harmonize across municipalities and identify areas where there is potential conflict or not well known designs – tie this to the technical guidelines

Ask all site and development plan submissions to identify if these include VisitAble features so these can be highlighted during the assessment of applications

Thank YouFor more information about the local VisitAble Housing work:

Trudy Beaulne, Executive Director, Social Development Centre Waterloo Region

Email: trudy@waterlooregion.orgPhone: 519-579-1096 X *3006

www.waterlooregion.org/visitable