Research Topic: Accessibility

Research
Housing America’s Older Adults 2023 (JCHS)

This report examines the realities of older adults' housing in the U.S. It begins with demographics and data about seniors' living situations, and then dives into challenges around affordability, accessibility, and housing quality. It closes out by focusing on the special challenge that is the "dual burden" of housing and elder care on low-income households.

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Research
Loudoun County Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (2021)

The Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (PDF), approved in September 2021, defines how the county will address the unmet housing needs of households in a systematic and comprehensive way with integrated programs. The plan recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the housing issue; it will take multiple approaches applied in combination to address the issue of housing affordability; and there is no one type of housing need. The plan was developed through a strategic planning process as a key implementation step of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan.

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Research
City of Harrisonburg Comprehensive Housing Study & Market Analysis (2021)

The more than 200-page report, the first ever conducted by the City, views housing needs through the lens of social determinants of health, introduced by the World Health Organization, to quantify existing housing supply, assess demand for different housing types, identify barriers to meeting demands, and list potential policy tools to address housing gaps. The study produced 21 recommendations structured to establish a foundation to address affordable housing now and in the future.

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Research
Farmville/Prince Edward County Housing Study (HDAdvisors, 2019)

While the amount of new housing estimated to be produced in the Study Area given current trends is sufficient to meet future needs, the price point and housing size are not targeted to the population’s needs. This report was prepared by HDAdvisors, who also staffs HousingForward Virginia.

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Research
City of Falls Church Master Plan: Housing (2019)

The Comprehensive Plan serves as the official policy guide for shaping the future of the City. It establishes strategies for housing efforts and projects to achieve the City’s vision. This chapter recognizes that implementation must remain flexible to changing conditions and that priorities will change.

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Research
Fairfax County Communitywide Housing Strategic Plan (2018)

The Communitywide Housing Strategic Plan includes two phases. Phase 1 of the Plan identifies 25 short-term strategies that can be implemented, without major policy or revenue impacts, to encourage and produce additional housing units within the county. The strategies, which were adopted in June 2018, are expected to take one to two years to implement. Phase 2 of the plan looks at long-term strategies, tools, policies and resources to support the development and preservation of housing that is affordable in our community. To support the efforts of Phase 2 and to garner additional community input, the Board of Supervisors created an Affordable Housing Resources Panel (AHRP).

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Research
Rental Housing Discrimination on the Basis of Mental Disabilities: Results of Pilot Testing (HUD, 2017)

Rental Housing Discrimination on the Basis of Mental Disabilities: Results of Pilot Testing finds that when compared to people without mental disabilities, those persons who are living with mental disabilities receive fewer responses to their rental inquiries, are informed of fewer available units, and are less likely to be invited to contact the housing provider. In addition, HUD’s study found that they are less likely to be invited to tour an available unit, are more likely to be steered to a different unit than the one advertised, and are treated differently depending on their type of disability.

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Research
Preserving Affordability and Access in Livable Communities: Subsidized Housing Opportunities near Transit and the 50+ Population (AARP, 2009)

This study analyzes the location of affordable housing in 20 metropolitan areas by mapping federally subsidized rental apartments in each area and measuring the amount of affordable housing within certain distances of transit. The study uses five areas as case studies—including site visits and interviews with residents 50 and older—to provide more information on the challenges and benefits of different locations of affordable housing.

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Research
Increasing Home Access: Designing for Visitability (AARP, 2008)

Visitability initiatives that support aging independently in one's home and community are the subject of this AARP Public Policy Institute Research Report. Authors Jordana Maisel and Edward Steinfeld of the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA) and Eleanor Smith of Concrete Change discuss the barriers to visitability implementation and opportunities for further acceptance of these design parameters in the construction of new homes.

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