The need for affordable housing is widely known, but the need for accessible housing is less discussed and just as pressing. For individuals with disabilities and those who are aging, finding a home that meets their needs can be even more challenging. It’s time we prioritize affordable, accessible housing so anyone, regardless of their physical ability or age, can live with dignity. The proposed sports and entertainment district (SED) and Salt Lake City’s upcoming conversion of its former public safety building make this a real possibility.
Many people with disabilities and older adults live on fixed incomes, relying on as little as $943 a month in Supplemental Security Income or other benefits. Not surprisingly, skyrocketing rents can keep them out of safe and healthy housing. Without affordable options, they may be forced into substandard conditions or face homelessness. We must advocate for increased funding and incentives for developers to create affordable housing specifically designed for them. This is why we appreciate the successful effort by Crossroads Urban Center and others to include affordable and deeply affordable housing in the public benefit provisions of the SED’s participation agreement.
According to the city’s 2020-2024 consolidated plan, about 11% of residents have a disability. The most common disability among older residents is difficulty walking. The city’s aging and disabled populations are also expected to expand rapidly for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, traditional homes often lack the necessary modifications for those with mobility issues, such as ramps, wider doorways and accessible bathrooms. Even in large apartment buildings usually required to have some accessible features, the ground floor is often occupied by retail or other mixed-use space. Therefore, the first residential floor is really the second floor, making emergency evacuation a challenge. Additionally, more accessible units are frequently rented to tenants who don’t need the features.
While we support transit-oriented and other high-density housing options, townhomes appear to account for much of the new stock. Sadly, like single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes, a multistory townhouse without an elevator doesn’t have to be accessible. Similarly, a converted building first occupied before 1991 (such as the former public safety building) isn’t subject to the Fair Housing Act’s (FHA) Accessibility Guidelines unless only its façade remains. Additionally, if federal money isn’t used in a building, a tenant with a disability may have to pay to install and remove needed modifications.
Policies like this help explain why the city’s 2010-2015 consolidated plan estimated there were only around 100 fully accessible units citywide. Sadly, the two plans since then haven’t included updates or new goals. In fact, 8 of 9 fair housing tests conducted in the city by the Disability Law Center during 2021 showed potential violations of accessible design and construction standards or requirements.
This data is why we urge a similar physical accessibility provision be added to the public benefit component as the city irons out the details of the SED participation agreement. Likewise, we strongly encourage the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City to require physical accessibility be part of any contract it signs for the redevelopment of the former public safety building site.
Fortunately, in addition to using these projects as models for increasing physically accessible housing, local governments can go beyond federal law by:
Incentivizing a variety of development templates that incorporate a range of mixed-income, ground floor-accessible options;
Establishing ambitious goals and using preservation funds to make more of the existing affordable housing stock accessible;
Allowing square-footage variances for accessible accessory dwelling units or tiny homes;
Promoting affordable and accessible infill development rather than “luxury” apartments;
Incentivizing creation of accessible units through request for proposal or permitting requirements, reduced fees, density bonuses, zoning variances, etc;
Giving bonus points to proposals which include more Type A Units or units with a higher percentage of universal design features;
Prioritizing Community Development Block Grant funds for the development of new units which meet the FHA’s accessibility guidelines;
Holding regular training regarding obligations under the FHA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the International Building Code for housing staff, planners, developers, architects, builders, contractors, inspectors and others;
Supporting continuing education opportunities highlighting how to use current code to build accessibility into new and existing projects;
Having an expert in these areas in the permit office so each application meets the applicable standards before approval; and
Encouraging publicity of units with specific accessible features to prospective tenants with disabilities.
Making sure everyone has a safe and comfortable place to call home encourages independence and improves quality of life. By investing in affordable and accessible housing, we build stronger, more welcoming communities where everyone can thrive. Together, we must advocate for the policy changes and funding necessary to turn our vision into reality.
(Kristy Chambers) Kristy Chambers is the CEO of Columbus Community Center.
Kristy Chambers is the CEO of Columbus Community Center.
(Andrew Riggle) Andrew Riggle is the public policy advocate for the Disability Law Center.
Andrew Riggle is the public policy advocate for the Disability Law Center.
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