Municipality/Community:

Richmond, BC

Date of Report

September 30, 2014

Task Force Coordinator:

Ella Huang, Richmond Centre for Disability

Any Changes in Task Force:(e.g. member, action plan)

Entering into the Phase II of the project, the Richmond VisitAbility Task Force was preparing for the action plan and deliverables for coming 12 months, as well as longer term vision for beyond the project span.

There are a few task force members whose schedule conflicts with the meeting time, or simply did not join meetings any more. Their names have been removed from the task force members’ list, but they are still included in the circulation of resources and relevant announcements. An updated Richmond VisitAbility Task Force membership list is attached with this report.

Key Task Force Activities Done Since Last Report: (in a point format)

• Coordinator completed the mid-term feedback survey.
• Site visit by CCDS Project Team (Youn-Young Park and Allen Mankewich) and project updates provided to entire Task Force, from September 23 to 24, 2014.
• A Task Force meeting was held on September 24, 2014; a total of 19 participants – 14 members plus one note taker, one attendant, and two guests from CCDS Project Team.

Task Force Progress and Outcomes Made Since Last Report : (in a point format)

Phase II Action Plan:

1. Implement visitability initiative through City’s Re-zoning process and coupled with the introduction of visitability components in social housing: a joint effort to utilize the policy tools – Official Community Plan (OCP) and Affordable Housing Strategy
   
   Action: To work closely with City of Richmond’s Re-zoning and Affordable Housing Team to design a way to launch the VisitAbility Initiative.
   
   
2. June Access Awareness Event – a public event to highlight access awareness, with focus on visitability
   
   Action: Form a planning committee to take on the planning and entire task force to host the public event.
   
   
3. Understand the perspectives on visitability of builders and developers, especially those who are supportive of accessible designs
   
   Action:
   · Identify a list of developers who are community champions in accessible designs
   · Gather best practices about visitability
   · Local Award of Excellence (??)

Challenges encountered in implementing the task force action plan:

We are trying to have task force members to commit to some roles within the action plan. Currently there are many suggestions and opinions, but the working team is almost non-existent. Most workload is on the coordinator; or task force members are not certain how to proceed. We believe that this will improve when smaller work groups are formed to implement each action items in the Phase II action plan.

Stakeholders involved (list names and affiliations)
“Stakeholders” herein refers to those who have assisted or contributed to your task force activities, beyond simply receiving

James Cooper, City of Richmond, Building Approval
Jeff Fisher, Urban Development Institute (UDI)

Both individuals were on the task force, but conflicting schedules prevent their active participation. They provide inputs to some issues and discussions of the task force. The former will be a key link to the zoning and re-zoning for building sites, and the latter assists in arranging a presentation to the UDI and City Liaison Meeting in November, 2014.

Information Dissemination Activity and Number of People Reached
(For example, a presentation at the Manitoba Accessibility Awards – 60 people, distribution of a brochure on VisitAble Housing – 150 people)

The Richmond Centre for Disability is a member of the Richmond Community Services Advisory
Committee, and we submit monthly community report pertaining to our role in the community to the
Committee Executives, which is also shared with the entire membership. In the September report, I have included information of the VisitAbility Housing Initiative and our involvement; I have also provided web links and details of visitability features. (30 people)

Municipality/Community:

Richmond, BC

Date of Report

August 31, 2014

Task Force Coordinator:

Ella Huang, Richmond Centre for Disability

Any Changes in Task Force:(e.g. member, action plan)

There is no change in the Task Force membership. The action plan for Phase One has officially

concluded and a Progress Report has been prepared by the Task Force and submitted to CCDS Project Team. A Phase Two Marketing Strategy draft has also been circulated to Task Force members, and will have more in-depth discussion in September meeting.

Key Task Force Activities Done Since Last Report: (in a point format)

• Task Force Coordinator and a few task force members attended the Marketing Webinar hosted by CCDS on August 11, 2014.
• A Task Force core-member meeting was held on August 22, 2014 to brainstorm some ideas for the task force members to consider and discuss in upcoming meeting on September 24, 2014.
  

Task Force Progress and Outcomes Made Since Last Report : (in a point format)

• The Richmond Task Force will make a presentation at the Universal Design Institute (UDI)-Richmond Liaison meeting on November 26, 2014. When communicating with UDI, they emphasized that their main focus is on high rises and townhouse homes, but not single dwelling family design.
• It is commonly felt that the provincial proposed unified Building Code may be a good opportunity for the Task Force to exert some influence in promoting the VisitAble features.
• It was suggested by Task Force members to connect with SAFEhome Standards Society. Nonetheless they claimed that “Visitability” is a half solution that they do not support; their website is: http://www.saferhomesociety.com/

Reported by:

Ella Huang, Task Force Coordinator

Date of Report:

Aug 6, 2014

Time Span:

September 2014 to September 2015

Proposed Marketing Strategy:

The proposed marketing strategy for Phase II is intended to assist the Richmond VisitAbility Task Force to achieve its goals, especially in promoting Visitable Housing in the City of Richmond among buyers, builders, policy makers and other stakeholders.

Some of the key points may include:

1. General marketing effort to all stakeholders

• To formulate a Communication Plan for a more coordinated marketing approach
• To develop marketing materials to bring awareness of visitability to our communities
• To heighten community presence by participating in community events
• To promote the Richmond VisitAbility Task Force Website

2. Marketing effort to Policy Makers

• To make presentation to Richmond City Council and Urban Development Institute
• To make “VisitAbility” an item of discussion in upcoming civic election in November
• To encourage provincial or municipal governments to increase the incentive for incorporating “VisitAbility” in the design of single dwelling residences
• To explore introducing “VisitAbility” features at the zoning application level

3. Marketing effort to Building Professionals

• To find a champion

The Richmond VisitAbility Task Force has yet to finalize and approve the proposed Marketing Strategy; hence there may still be changes and modifications to our action plan.

Reported by:

Ella Huang, Task Force Coordinator

Date of Report:

July 31, 2014

Action Plan:

Goal: To form a well-represented and cohesive Task Force that is committed to the same vision of promoting Visitable Housing in the City of Richmond among buyers, builders, policy makers and other stakeholders.

Outcomes:

Key Activities:

Task Force Team as a Whole

• 4 Task Force meetings had been held, and a few planning meetings were conducted in the earlier stage
• Finalized the action plan, and completed some deliverable stated (refer to actual outcomes)
• As part of the communication plan, a Richmond VisitAbility Task Force webpage has been created  http://www.accessrichmond.ca/VisitAbilityWeb/index.asp

Policy Makers

• Active participation of some policy makers from the City of Richmond and brought to the table current development of different housing-related progresses and reports locally
• Presentations have been made on some special issues related specifically to Richmond, e.g. water entering issue for zero grade entry; affordability and accessibility

Building/Development Professionals

• There is still work to be done in recruiting more members for this category
• Effective sharing of information and resources from some members and associates; e.g. the blue prints of convertible design from Yamamoto Architecture

Consumers

• Increased understating of the project focus and the concept of “VisitAble Housing”
• “Aging in Place” concept was well discussed, and information effectively shared
• Consumer sector is well represented, and focus went beyond physical accessibility to include community accessibility in services, support and city planning

Municipality/Community:

Richmond, BC

Date of Report:

July 31, 2014

Task Force Coordinator:

Ella Huang, Richmond Centre for Disability

Any Changes in Task Force (e.g. member, action plan)

There is no change in the Task Force membership and action plan.

Key Task Force Activities Done Since Last Report (in a point format)

• A Task Force meeting was held on July 22, 2014; a total of 18 participants - 17 members plus one note taker.
• The Richmond VisitAbility Task Force web site has been created and soft-launched at the task force meeting. The web page link is: http://www.accessrichmond.ca/VisitAbilityWeb/index.asp

Task Force Progress and Outcomes Made Since Last Report (in a point format)

• In the May meeting, members requested to develop a web site for information and resources sharing among the Richmond VisitAbility Task Force. Despite the resources on the VisitAble Housing Canada website (http://visitablehousingcanada.com/) are very helpful, the members felt that it is good to have a local touch and closer-to-home feel. It is also with the intention to be environmentally friendly by going paperless.
• The presentations so far offered during meeting were very well received, and majority of the task force members are well informed of the project, have conduced meaningful discussion of “VisitAble Housing”, understood role of task force and found resources sharing to be useful. We believe that this informing phase was successful and the task force feels that we are ready to move on.
• Some key aspects of marketing and publicity have been brought up and discussed; they need to be fine-tuned and coordinated thereby to formulate into next phase action plan.
• The CDDS Project team has confirmed to visit the Richmond VisitAbility Task Force on September 24, 2014, Wednesday; our task force meeting will run from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre’s Executive Board Room.
• A copy of the Phase 1 Action Plan Progress Report is attached.

Municipality/Community:

Richmond, BC

Date of Report:

June 30, 2014

Task Force Coordinator:

Ella Huang, Richmond Centre for Disability

Any Changes in Task Force (e.g. member, action plan)

No change in Task Force, as we did not have a meeting in June. The Task Force agreed to have meeting every two months instead of monthly. The next meeting will be held on July 22, 2014.

Key Task Force Activities Done Since Last Report (in a point format)

• Coordinator participated in a Coordinators’ Conference Call meeting on June 24
• A few Task Force members joined the June 16 Webinar
• Coordinator worked with a few task force members to put together the agenda for July 22 meeting. It will include a presentation from City Planner, and also will look at some useful information gathered from the June 16 Webinar

Task Force Progress and Outcomes Made Since Last Report (in a point format)

• One member shared that the BC government is consulting with local governments about introducing a uniform building code:www.ubcm.ca/EN/meta/news/news-archive/2014-archive/attention-councils-and-boards-response-sought.html.
  Further discussion will be conducted at the July meeting.

Municipality/Community:

Richmond, BC

Date of Report:

May 31, 2014

Task Force Coordinator:

Ella Huang, Richmond Centre for Disability

Any Changes in Task Force (e.g. member, action plan)

We approached an architect who is involved with some convertible housing design; he was unavailable to attend the May meeting, but he provided several blueprints for a convertible townhouse project in Richmond and we presented them at the May Task Force meeting. A retired planner for the City of Richmond joined our group; he is very passionate about visitability and accessible housing.

Action Plan Item - the Task Force contemplates the idea to develop a website which can be used for information sharing, specifically to BC standards and situation

Key Task Force Activities Done Since Last Report (in a point format)

• Coordinator participated in a Coordinators’ Conference Call meeting on May 14
• Organized and hosted a Task Force meeting on May 22, 2014
• Coordinator attended a Housing Forum - Housing Alternatives for an Aging Population on May 29; the event was an annual conference organized by the Gerontology Research Centre of Simon Fraser University

Task Force Progress and Outcomes Made Since Last Report (in a point format)

• The Task Force has improved on its communication with more sharing of resources and information, for instance: a few links and newspaper clips relating to “VisitAbility and VisitAble Housing” were circulated among task force members.
• One Task Force member reported back to the discipline he was representing (Community Living BC Richmond Council), and the manager of this office was interested to attend a meeting (Invitation has been sent, but he is not available for July meeting). The VisitAble Housing website link has been shared with this group.
• Some members are eager to have the provincial building code changed, in pursuit of the recently established Vancouver Accessibility bylaws.

Municipality/Community:

Richmond, BC

Date of Report:

March 31, 2014

Task Force Coordinator:

Ella Huang, Richmond Centre for Disability

Any Changes in Task Force (e.g. member, action plan)

We have successfully recruited a few members representing Policy Makers and Housing Professionals. Some joined the March 26th meeting; others could not make it but have shown interest in being part of the Task Force. A few members are representatives from agencies or organizations or companies; they are representing their domain hence it is possible that sometimes different representative may be at the Task Force meeting.

The Action Plan remains unchanged, but further discussion has been undertaken to prioritize and/or weight some recommendations and deliverables captured in the Exploration Task Force Meeting on November 27, 2013.

Key Task Force Activities Done Since Last Report (in a point format)

• Coordinator participated in 2 Coordinators’ Conference Call meetings
• Proactive recruitment of Task Force members, especially for the category of “Housing Professionals”
• Had a meeting with a few key members on February 4, 2014 to map out the short-term plan of the Task Force
• Organized and hosted a Task Force meeting on March 26, 2014

Task Force Progress and Outcomes Made Since Last Report (in a point format)

• The Task Force has committed to meet every 2 months; lunch meeting is preferred
• All members were impressed by the presentation at the March 26th meeting, on comparison of building standards and review on current policies and practices related to visitable housing in Richmond, presented by Tom Parker - it is agreeable that an education component is desirable for our meetings; especially some of the recommendations from the exploration meeting can be addressed and further discussed
• Representative from the Real Estate Board will look up if a “Visitability Score” would be of benefits for the market, similar to the current “Walkability Score” on the listings
• It was agreed that most visitable features are also applicable for people with different disabilities, such as developmental disability, and people with mental illness, as well as the aging population, to lead an independent life - especially the designs for safety precautions such as tripping and falling, reaching up, etc.

Municipality/Community:

Richmond, British Columbia

Date of Report:

February 20, 2014

Task Force Coordinator:

Ella Huang, Richmond Centre for Disability

Task Force Members and Their Affiliation

• Frances Clark, Tom Parker, Vince Miele - Richmond Centre for Disability
• Alan Hill, Dena Kae Beno - City of Richmond
• Jeff Fisher - Urban Development Institute
• James White - Community Living BC
• Sunil Mathure - Richmond Homeless Coalition / Vancouver Coastal Health Family Committee on Mental Health Issues
• De Whalen - Richmond Poverty Response Committee

Task Force Action Plan
(for the period from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014, 3 Quarters)  

1. Goal: To form a well-represented and cohesive Task Force that is committed to the same vision of promoting Visitable Housing in the City of Richmond among buyers, builders, policy makers and other stakeholders.
2. Expected Outcomes: (a) Produce Asset Mapping of visitable housing stocks in terms of research, literature and best practices; (b) Stakeholders are identified and action items are developed to initiate proactive involvement of different parties; (c) Develop a Task Force Communication Plan firstly for members and expanding to all targeted groups, stakeholders and possibly community at large.  
3. Key Activities:
   Task Force Team As a Whole: It is our primary focus to plan for regular meetings, and to recommend and invite potential task force team members. A few key members met on Feb. 4, 2014 and a list of potential people has been identified. We plan to have a meeting in March to rekindle the interest for some and introduce the task force team to others. Our secondary focus is to share resources gathered so far and bring every member up to speed with the progress of the project. As a whole the Task Force Team will be able to set some “SMART” goals, to finalize some action items, and to materialize some deliverables.