# Presentation: 162929

## Effecting Accessible Housing -  The Lessons Continue 

**This presentation will probably involve audience discussion, which will create action items.  Use PowerPoint to keep track of these action items during your presentation**
**In Slide Show, click on the right mouse button**
**Select “Meeting Minder”**
**Select the “Action Items” tab**
**Type in action items as they come up**
**Click OK to dismiss this box**
**This will automatically create an Action Item slide at the end of your presentation with your points entered.**

## Opening the DoorPresentations on Visitability  begin in 1998 toCommissions on Disabilities in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, and Montgomery Counties and Baltimore City

## Principles of Visitability

- one no-step entrance,
- 36” hallways,
- lowered environmental controls,
- blocking in bathroom walls,
- all doorways at least 32” clear open space.

## The Next Step

- 2001 - Howard County begins Homes for Life Coalition and promotes Visitability
- 2002 - Baltimore County produces brochure on Visitability
- 2003 - Montgomery County drafts legislation on Visitability

##  On Other FrontsMCIL and allies participate in State’s Medicaid Waiver application for consumer controlled personal care program which includes funds to modify home for accessibility

## 
MCIL receives Baltimore County CDBG* funds to construct ramps to increase accessible rental housing stock in County  

- MCIL receives Baltimore County CDBG* funds to construct ramps to increase accessible rental housing stock in County

- *Community Development Block Grant

##  Progress

- State of Maryland receives Real Choice Systems Change Nursing Facility Transition Grant which includes creation of Accessible/Affordable Housing Registry
- Baltimore County modifies local building code to allow for ramp instead of step for entrance to house from garage; enforces 3-0 door and 36” hallway in new construction

## Change Never Happens in a Vacuum

- Our Allies –
- Other CILs in Maryland

## Freedom Center

- Successfully working with the City of Frederick to have Visitability included in draft of City Housing Plan
- Currently working with the City of Frederick to modify local building code to allow for residential ramps within City limits

## Resources for Independence 

- City of Cumberland, MD grants CDBG funds for home modifications to RFI for people with disabilities exiting nursing homes who need to make their home accessible

- Independence Now
- Receives CDBG funds for home modifications needed by persons with disabilities living in Prince George’s County
- Forms Housing Coalition with intent to increase the amount of accessible/affordable housing in Prince George’s County

## Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living

- Recruited building contractors to volunteer time to supervise other volunteers to do home modifications using donated supplies
- Home Depot, Lowes, WalMart, American Legion, Elks, VFW and others donate supplies and/or money

## Southern Maryland Center for L.I.F.E.

- Meeting with home builders and Home Access, Inc. to modify ten rental units for accessibility in St. Mary’s County

## Continuing Legislative Efforts

- Lease Relief Bill
- Source of Income Discrimination

## Changing Policy, Effecting Change

- Advocacy, Advocacy, Advocacy
- Education and Outreach
- Strike a balance between political reality and social ideology
- Show up, speak up and participate!!

## 

Frank Pinter, Executive Director
Making Choices for Independent Living
3011 Montebello Terrace
Baltimore, MD 21214
410-444-1400
frankp@mcil-md.org
www.mcil-md.org

- Frank Pinter, Executive Director
- Making Choices for Independent Living
- 3011 Montebello Terrace
- Baltimore, MD 21214
- 410-444-1400
- frankp@mcil-md.org
- www.mcil-md.org