1. Design For Life Cville CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA Prepared by Neighborhood Development September 2012

2. Design for Life Cville is the first voluntary certification program in Virginia for Visit-Ability and Live-Ability in single family attached and detached homes located in the City of Charlottesville. Design For Life Cville The Program covers both new construction and renovation

3. Design For Life Cville Design for Life Cville encourages builders and contractors to provide a degree of accessibility to new homes and renovations. The program advocates two levels of accessibility. Visit-Ability Live-Ability

4. What is Design For Life Cville Visit-Ability? 1. At least one no-step entry located at any door, deck, or through a garage connected to an accessible route to a place to visit on that level or other level by way of an elevating device. 2. 32 inch or 2' x 10" nominal clear width interior doors on the Visit-Able level. 3. An accessible powder room or bathroom on the Visit-Able level.

5. Design For Life Cville What is Live-Ability? 1. At least one no-step entry located at any door, deck, or through a garage connected to an accessible route to a place to visit on that level or other level by way of an elevating device. 2. 32 inch or 2' x 10" nominal clear width interior doors on the Visit-Able level. 3. An accessible powder room or bathroom on the Visit-Able level. 4. At least one bedroom, full bath, and kitchen with a circulation path that connects the rooms to an accessible entrance on the Visit-Able level.

6. Design For Life Cville Why would a builder, contractor, or home owner want to build of renovate to meet one of these standards? 1.No step entrances make it easier to age within your home. 2.Easier and Safer to bring Baby home. 3.Moving Large Items and Furniture are made easier. 4.Temporary or Permanent Disabilities are Accommodated. 5.The Value of the Home is Increased due to enhancement.

7. Design For Life Cville Are there Financial Incentives for building to one of these standards? YES! Visit-Ability? Live_Ability? Once inspectors certify that the construction meets the specified standards: 25% of the Permits for -Building -Plumbing -Electrical -Mechanical 50% of the Permits for -Building -Plumbing -Electrical -Mechanical

8. Design For Life Cville How much will that add up to on a typical Home? Attached Valued at $198,700 Total Permit Fees $1,084.66 Visit-Ability Savings = $271.17 Live-Ability Savings = $542.33 Detached Valued at $243,130 Total Permit Fees $1,240.36 Visit-Ability Savings = $310.09 Live-Ability Savings = $620.18

9. Design For Life Cville How much savings for a proposed development? 60 Proposed Townhouse (Attached)Units 91 Proposed Single Family Units Visit-Ability? Live-Ability? Attached savings=$16,270 Detached Savings=$28,218 TOTAL SAVINGS= $44,488 Attached savings=$32,538 Detached Savings=$56,436 TOTAL SAVINGS= $89,974

10. Design For Life Cville Other Incentives The Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit The State of Virginia offers of up to $5,000 for new homes that include three universal design features, and retrofitted existing home which include one universal design feature. · Accessible route to a zero-step entrance into the residence · Zero-step entrance into the residence · Doors with at least 32 inches of clear width · Hallways and passages with at least 36 inches of clear width · Accessible light switches, electrical outlets and environmental controls · Accessible bathroom · Accessible and useable kitchen facilities For More Information visit http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/housingpreservationrehabilitation/Tax_credit_program.htm http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/housingpreservationrehabilitation/Tax_credit_program.htm

11. Design For Life Cville Did you know that: 1.Currently 25% of the United States population is over 55 years old. 2.By the year 2015, 32 percent will be over 55 years old. 3.In the US 45 percent of all remodeling dollars are spent by people over 50. 4.Nearly 90 percent of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, often referred to as “aging in place.” 5.Seventy-five percent of remodelers report an increase in inquiries related to aging in place. 6.The NAHB predicts that aging in place remodeling market to be $20-$25 billion. That’s about 10 percent of the $214 billion home improvement industry. 7.Ninety-one percent of pre-retirees age 50 to 65 responded that they want to live in their own homes in retirement. Of that group, 49 percent want to stay in their current homes, and 38 percent want to move to new homes.