Advancing Universal Design through Evidence Based Practice: Residential Environments

The ideal 21st Century Community for aging in place will have affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services, and a range of mobility options, which together facilitate personal independence and enable all individuals to engage in work, civic, and social life as they choose. How do we get from vision to reality? This chapter focuses on housing and reviews current housing problems, research, and the state of the science of universal design in housing. Are current practices compatible with universal design? One thing we know is that over the past few decades housing preferences have changed. This can be attributed to many factors, although changes in population demographics, legislation, and economic conditions have had the most significant impact. These contributing factors drive the housing industry; the success of the housing market is based on how well it responds to consumers’ needs. Often slow to respond to people’s changing needs and preferences, the housing market now appears to be adopting new strategies and policies leading to more innovative practices and designs.