The Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) and Idaho Commerce are working with Root Policy Research on the state of Idaho 2021 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI). As part of efforts to raise awareness of the rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, IHFA proposed a session for this year’s APA Idaho conference to help planning professionals and other officials understand how the AI process works, and what it means to Idahoans, local government and taxpayers, and to community and economic stability.

Analysis of Impediments APA ID

Universal Design and Visitability

Sarasota County, Florida, provides recognition and some benefits to builders and homeowners who create housing that’s accessible for people of all abilities

While the Fair Housing Act requires accessible features in multifamily residential construction, the millions of single-family homes built in neighborhoods and subdivisions are typically built with stairs and other physical barriers to approximately 25% of Americans living with a disability (40% for those over 65). Modifying these new homes to create access can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

This is essentially a tax or surcharge on disability for homebuyers or tenants, with potential fair housing implications for developers, builders and communities.

Sarasota County, Florida is the latest jurisdiction to appreciate the importance of Visitability, which involves basic Universal Design features, such as at least one zero-step entry and an accessible route to a ground-floor bathroom.

This doesn’t just save money and create independent living for those with temporary or permanent mobility limitations; it can save taxpayers more than $30,000/year for each Medicaid-eligible person who can avoid a nursing home or other institution.

It also means higher productivity and more inclusive neighborhoods, since a neighborhood pot-luck invitation doesn’t involve barriers. It supports community and economic resilience when households have more disposable income to invest in taxable goods and services.

It’s called planning ahead.

See an earlier post and details here: Inclusive Design Gets Customers in the Door

Entitlement communities and the Idaho Housing and Finance Association are preparing to re-engage the Idaho Fair Housing Forum. We’re reaching out to long-time and new partners to revive the legacy of productive collaboration among Idaho stakeholders.

• When October 20, 2021 | 10am to 11am MDT
• Where Zoom link via email invitation

The Idaho Fair Housing Forum was created in 2003 through the initiative of Brian Dale, then a Community Builder with HUD’s Idaho State Field Office. The collaborative effort helped re-start and improve dialogue among housing providers, public and private sector partners, and fair housing advocates.

As Facilitator, Brian’s goal was to create a ‘safe space,’ where every stakeholder could exchange ideas, ask questions and seek collaborative solutions that reduced Fair Housing Act violations through better communication, thereby reducing the net cost of housing. And to a large extent, it worked.

Kristina Miller – HUD/Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity; Brian Dale – State Director, Idaho Field Office; and Michael Look, Region X Deputy Regional Administrator

The original Forum included a diverse mix of stakeholders. For over 15 years the group met regularly and pooled our resources to create innovative outreach materials, including annual Fair Housing Month events, calendars, and long-running campaigns.

Fast forward to 2020, and Brian Dale is now the State Director of HUD’s Idaho Field Office. Several factors—including a pandemic—led to an extended hiatus, but key partners are committed to  working together toward shared goals with new collaborative leadership.

The goal is still the same…to create a safe and respectful space to engage, exchange ideas and work to increase fair housing awareness.

Stay tuned for updates!