Richmond Visitability Task Force

Richmond VisitAbility Task Force Action Plan

Summary of Recommendations/Deliverables & Identification of Next Steps (March 26, 2014)

(1) Development of a Register

Clear identification of adaptable, accessible, basic universal and visitable housing features and in different housing types
Possibility of developing Real Estate codes to identify units??
Target users – home buyers, rental consumers, realtors, developers, policy planners, non-profit housing providers
Associated field – built features, social supports, community linkages

(2) Development of a Tool Kit

(3) Sensitivity to Water Entering Units

Awareness of water challenges with visitable housing feature for “zero grade
entrance”
Build collaborative technical knowledge to work through alternative solutions that
meet code requirements and address issue
How does this impact access between existing and new development? Costs?
Visitability standards/application?

(4) Education

What does VISITABILITY look like?
To break the stereotypes of “institutional look”
Bring design-marketing-consumers together
How does VISITABILITY meet on-going local trends; in population, demographics, cultures, needs and market? Example – Aging in Place

(5) Potential for Housing Co-Ops

Many Co-ops will be available for redevelopment within the next 10 years
Potential to maximize ability to support affordability and visitability through redevelopment
and mixed tenure
Modification of existing units

(6) Social Structures & Policies

Identify and design social structures required to encourage “Sustainable Visitability”
Explore incentives and policy measures to encourage “Sustainable Visitability”, for example removal of disincentives and tax barriers, density bonus incentives, etc.

Richmond Task Force - Next Steps

Research Asset Mapping: Review research, literature and best practices that have already been completed in the identified areas
Stakeholder identification and initiative involvement
Communication Plan