We imagine Canada as a country with a vibrant housing sector that constructs attractive, affordable, accessible and sustainable housing to meet the needs of all Canadians. We imagine housing that supports vibrant, socially inclusive communities that are livable at all stages of life.

We are working to bring together key people, create dialogue, share information, and collect information to promote this vision and invite you to join us.

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News + Events

LEED + Visitability Initiative

Concrete Change is working with the U.S Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines to provide a point towards a LEED rating, when designers incorporate basic access into single-family homes.

Please click here for more information on LEED.

Visitability in Canada Research Highlight

The Research Highlight for the "Understanding the Status of Visitability in Canada" project provides an overview of our activities, results and next steps.

Please click to read the Research Highlight (DOC | HTM | PDF)

Visitability Communique
November 2007

The final report has been submitted to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and it is imperative that we don't allow it to sit on a shelf, collecting dust. CCDS and all Think Tank participants and those interested in promoting visitable housing must maintain the connections we have made, and take action to move visitability to the next level.  

This communique will help to maintain the network sharing across the country keeping everyone up to date on visitability initiatives in Canada. We plan to send out a communiqué once every two months to keep you posted on our progress and yours. Please send any updates you may have to research3@disabilitystudies.ca

Please click to read the Communique (DOC | HTM | PDF)

Visitable Housing Cost Analysis Report- June 2007
Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation

The report summarizes the findings related to the cost and market implications of incorporating basic visitable features into two, single-family detached houses in Manitoba. This is the first report CCDS has located on the costs of visitable housing in Canada.  Thank you to MHRC for making this document available to the public.

Please click to read the Cost Analysis Report (DOC | HTM | PDF)

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Visitability refers to newly constructed, single-family homes with AT LEAST the following minimum features:

• A zero-step entrance at the front, back or side entrance of the house (Located on an accessible route from the street)
• Wider doorways on all main floor doors (minimum 32 inch (813 mm) clear door opening)
• A half bath on the main floor (minimum requirements include a sink, toilet and a wider doorway)

The three minimum guidelines to achieve Visitability ensure that everyone regardless of mobility will be able to at least visit someone else's home, use the washroom and exit the home.

Adoption of these guidelines at the construction phase of a home suggests better integration of design elements, reduction in costs as fewer renovations would be required, fewer stair induced injuries and more access to the built environment for all.

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• Visitability increases opportunities for social interaction and inclusive, livable communities
•  Visitability responds to the increasing seniors population and the desire to age in place
•  Visitability promotes sustainable design in regards to housing needs over ones lifetime (lifecycle costs) and reduction in environmental and monetary costs due to home renovations when mobility changes
•  Visitability reduces stair related injuries and can reduce length of hospital visits as patients can go home because of accessibility features
•  Visitability allows more flexibility in moving furniture, carrying groceries into the home, transporting a stroller or wagon among other items
•  Visitability provides value added and can be incorporated with other building innovation such as affordable design, energy efficient housing and green design

Socially Inclusive Communities

A more unified approach to the design of cities and communities is needed in Canada to make them more livable and inclusive. While great strides have been made in creating accessible public spaces, there is a shortage of even minimally accessible private housing in Canada for seniors who want to ‘age in place’ and those with reduced mobility.

Visitable Housing Benefits Everyone

Seniors, people with disabilities, parents, children, pregnant women, people in the moving industry, people with temporary physical injuries, friends, family and neighbours who have limited mobility and anyone who would like to invite a friend or family member over to their home. Visitability increases the usability of the home over its and the homeowners lifetimes.

Aging in Place

Visitability can be integrated into the home at design phase of a new home to increase your options as your family’s needs change over time. While great strides have been taken in creating accessible public spaces, there is a shortage of even minimally accessible private housing in Canada for seniors who want to ‘age in place’ and those with reduced mobility. Seniors want to remain living independently in their own homes and renovating at the time of a mobility change can be very costly. Visitability is a promising approach to creating more accessible homes.

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