Accessing Home The Urgent Need for More Inclusive Housing in Canada

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Accessible housing varies depending on the disability, with physical disabilities benefiting from wide doorways, while sensory or developmental disabilities may require soundproof walls. Retrofitting existing units for accessibility is costly and challenging compared to designing homes with accessibility in mind from the start. Implementing universal design principles would ensure homes can be easily modified as residents age, addressing the long-term issue. However, building codes currently fall short in providing enough accessible units, exacerbating the demand as the population ages.

While there are no precise figures on the number of accessible units, at least one in five Canadians identify as having a disability, with the number expected to rise with an aging population. Current housing programs fund only 10 to 20 percent of units as accessible, contributing to the affordable housing deficit. Advocates aim to accelerate accessibility initiatives through the recently formed Accelerating Accessibility Coalition, but challenges lie ahead in balancing costs and pushing for widespread changes in building codes.

Read the full article on: CBC