Housing Accessibility

Housing should meet the needs of all individuals, regardless of age and ability level. Accessible housing, which accommodates people of all ages and ability levels, is crucial to the majority of Americans who say they would like to remain in their homes as they age. Yet many homes are not accessible. Most existing housing stock and new construction are multi-level with stairs. This can pose a challenge for those who develop problems with mobility, which are more common as they get older. Estimates are that the population of older adults will increase from 57 million to 82 million between 2022 and 2050. That means they will go from making up 17 percent of the population to 22 percent of the estimated population. As a result, demand for more housing that is suitable for older adults is expected to increase.

Policymakers and the private sector can take steps to change this by promoting construction and renovation using universal design. This is the principle that people of all ages and ability levels can use buildings, products, and the built environment without adaptation (see also Inclusion Innovation). Examples of universal design in housing include wide doorways, adequate maneuvering space in kitchens and bathrooms, switches and handles that are easy to reach and operate, and slide-out shelves. These and other relatively simple features enable people to remain in their homes even as their needs change over time.

Visitability features are a subset of universal design that addresses access to the main part of the house to ensure that visitors with mobility limitations are able to go to the homes of friends and relatives. Being able to do this supports meaningful, life-enriching interactions. Visitability features include wide doorways, a zero-step entrance, and no-stair access to a toilet facility with adequate space for maneuverability.

Incorporating these features into new home design makes sense when considering the costs and benefits to current and future homebuyers and residents. These structural elements come at a relatively low cost when included during construction. They can, however, be costly to add or change after a home is finished. Some local jurisdictions have begun promoting these features in new construction through code requirements or incentives to consumers and builders.

Most policy initiatives that support universal design focus on single-family homes and buildings with fewer than four units, which both fall outside federal design requirements. These features can be included in all homes regardless of type, including site-built, single-family homes, apartments, and manufactured housing.