Homes and communities for all ages and abilities

Americans are active people who expect to remain active long after they retire. As they age, they want to be part of the community. They want to entertain family and friends. And most of all, they want their independence.

Builders, developers and remodelers who recognize this and create homes and communities that are safe, comfortable and accessible for people of all ages and abilities were honored with 2007 Livable Communities Awards, co-sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the AARP.

The five winners delivered attractive, well-designed homes and communities that offer comfort, safety and amenity. Their projects demonstrate that the nation’s home builders are responding to the needs of the fastest growing market – 50+ consumers.

In Tucson, Ariz., the homes in Amory Park del Sol incorporate accessibility features such as no-step entries and wide doorways, and the community itself includes extra-wide sidewalks. Built by The John Wesley Miller Companies, the community also won praise for its energy-efficiency features that have reduced energy usage by 56 percent. All of the homes include solar photovoltaic electricity production and a solar water heating system.

A 100-unit community in Grayson, Ga., was planned with four goals: good design, safety, comfort, and accessibility. Wendt Builders Inc. featured no-step entries, open floor plans, task lighting, and kitchen drawers instead of cabinets in the homes. The homes are built to the standards of Georgia’s EasyLivingHome program, which has three simple but important requirements:

Easy Access – a step-free entrance into the main floor.

Easy Use – a bedroom, kitchen, wheelchair-friendly bathroom and entertaining area all on the main floor.

Easy Passage – every interior door on the main floor provides a minimum of 32 inches of clear passage.

According to surveys conducted by the AARP, most Americans say they want to stay in their current home as they age. The winner in the remodeling category, Quality Design & Construction of Raleigh, N.C., incorporated energy-efficient materials in their project that cut energy usage in half. The project also included a no-step entrance, walls removed to open the floor plan, a zero-clearance shower and a redesigned kitchen with pull-out drawers and cabinetry with large handles.

College Town at West End is a mixed-use and mixed-income community in downtown Atlanta developed by The Integral Group. The community offers a range of housing options, as well as a park with a walking trail and community spaces such as a library, game room and lounge. The senior apartments are supported by a resident services director who engages community members and organizes activities for the seniors.

In Madison, Wis., the Madison Area Community Land Trust developed Troy Gardens with 26 acres of open space, community gardens, restored prairie and a wildlife habitat. This mixed-income co-housing development features 30 housing units built using universal design and green elements. The residents enjoy walking paths, central courtyards and a summer youth gardening program with adult mentors.

Home builders across the country are catering to the needs of a variety of ages and abilities. To contact local building industry professionals who are trained in universal construction design, contact the Spokane Home Builders Association at (509) 532-4990.