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Home My WebLink About10-20-19 Public Comment - C. Bartholomew - Community Housing PlanFrom:agenda@bozeman.net To:Agenda Subject:Thank you for your public comment. Date:Sunday, October 20, 2019 12:16:11 PM A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted. Form Name:Public Comment Form Date & Time:10/20/2019 12:16 PM Response #:292 Submitter ID:21320 IP address:64.79.35.215 Time to complete:52 min. , 14 sec. Survey Details Page 1 Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options. Public comment may also be given at any public meeting. Email: agenda@bozeman.net Mail to: Attn: City Commission PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771 In-person delivery to: Attn: City Commission City Clerk's Office City Hall, Suite 202 121 N. Rouse Ave. Bozeman, MT First Name Cheryl Last Name Bartholomew Email Address fitseniors@gmail.com Phone Number 406-224-5865 Comments I am pleased to see that Senior Housing is part of the Community Housing Plan, since Montana is ranked 3rd in the nation per number of seniors per capita. We need to get creative and utilize the guidelines already established for universal design which allows persons of all ages and abilities to function in his/ her home, maintain his/ her independence and age in place. Senior Living communities are expensive and not an option for many aging adults, there for it is imperative seniors have affordable, age friendly housing available and a system that can provide renovation services to transfer a current home into an age in place residence. Medicare plans are now available to help with basic ADA renovation costs, but without certified in place specialists (CAPS) who are educated and trained in the most efficient, cost effective and proper way to build/ renovate homes specifically designed to be more than just ADA compliant, we have no avenue for quality, universally designed homes. (Currently there are NO CAPS qualified builders, architects, or construction companies in Bozeman.) The AARP/WHO Network of Livable Communities outlines objectives for creating an environment conducive to promoting the residential health and wellness in cities large and small by addressing the challenges we are facing in area like affordable housing, improved public transportation, social respect and inclusion, employment and volunteer opportunities for seniors, community resources and information, community health resources and services and public buildings and outdoor spaces, among others. There is a domino effect to implementation of all the above mentioned domains, when older adults have quality, affordable, functional housing options that promote the continued engagement in life and in community. It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel as there are toolkits and resources readily available to substantiate and guide this concept of universally designed senior housing. Here are a few: • http://universaldesign.ie/What-is-Universal-Design/The-7-Principles/ • https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Design-Toolkit-Time-saving-accessible/dp/0998828734 • https://www.udll.com/media-room/articles/ • https://www.udll.com/a/articles/downsizing-and-universal-design.pdf Despite the fact that there is a national demand and need for universal housing options ( single home dwelling of all sizes from ADU’s to sprawling homes) SWMBIA, construction companies and builders have not tapped into this market because the current housing market is booming. They have not invested in learning how to efficiently and effectively design, build or market these homes. In part, they have no incentive to do so because the city is not promoting it or demanding it. That needs to change….now! Training programs are readily available and if required by the city, opens the door to a very popular, necessary and desirable housing market. Here is some basic information from building industry websites: • https://www.nahb.org/learn/course-overviews/universal-design-build.aspx (please note the suggested list of professionals that could and should take the necessary courses and partner to produce quality, well designed homes ) MSU might consider adding this to their engineering department course options • http://universaldesign.today/universal-designbuild-course • https://www.nari.org/Certification-Accreditation/Certification/Universal-Design-Certified-Professional • https://www.nahb.org/learn/designations/certified-aging-in-place-specialist.aspx Universally designed homes do not currently exist in Bozeman. Apartments designated as “handicapped accessible” or “senior apartments /condos” that are popular here are not adequate. Simply putting grab bars in a bathroom and an elevator in an apartment complex does not make for a functionally adequate living space. I look forward to learning how and when the city will move forward to pursue these options and what incentives they will provide to change the direction of the current housing market with regard to universal design, which by the way should be adopted for all our public buildings as well! If we are truly concerned about creating more livable community and one that serves all of its residents, we must address the needs of all ages and abilities. Thank you for all your hard work and for the opportunity to voice my concerns, and suggestions. Sincerely, Cheryl Bartholomew Seniors ‘N Sync, LLC Chairperson for the Bozeman Chapter of AARP/WHO Network of Livable Communities 406-224-5865 If you would like to submit additional documents (.pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .gif, .jpg, .png, .rtf, .txt) along with your comment, you may alternately address agenda@bozeman.net directly to ensure receipt of all information. 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