Lifelong Housing

AARP’s Livable Communities project published a recent article, How to Encourage More ‘Lifelong’ Housing.  The article explains a project that came out of southern Oregon, what is known as “The Lifelong Housing Certification Project.”  The article explains this project:

A voluntary evaluation program, the Lifelong Housing Certification Project provides a way to assess the “age-friendliness” and accessibility of both newly constructed and existing homes..  the program includes a comprehensive checklist of features and defines levels of certification based on various universal design standards.

The certification is appropriate for all homes — rental apartments, new construction or existing houses — and is intended to help consumers and industry professionals choose the desired level of accessibility in buying, selling or modifying homes. The Lifelong Housing Certification Project helps the marketplace respond to a growing demand for accessible and adaptable homes that promote aging in place safely and independently. At the same time, the certification makes it easier for individuals of all ages to find homes that are suitable for lifelong living and promote the social and economic value of lifelong livability.   

The article explains the benefits and value, and the process for homeowners who wish to have their home “certified” (the owner receives a certificate, which can be provided, along with a “checklist to potential buyers. The certification may also be indicated on the local Multiple Listing Service in order to flag the home as being a “lifelong home” and alert potential buyers to ask the home seller or real estate agent for information regarding the home’s certification level.”)  There are links at the end of the story for those readers who want to learn more.