The City of Vancouver is considering changes to the Vancouver Building By-law which would require that all newly-built homes (including houses, townhouses, duplexes, laneway houses, and apartments) be both accessible and adaptable.
These changes would allow older adults and persons with disabilities to find housing they can actually live in, and will also promote “aging-in-place.”
The City now wants to consult with the community about this proposed housing bylaw. It is important that everyone participate in this public consultation. Feedback from the community will be given to Council to help them make a final decision about the building code changes.
This is the first time in Canada that housing accessibility will be a requirement for newly-built homes. The Seniors Advisory Committee, together with the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee, have worked with the Chief Building Official, Mr. Will Johnston, for two years to develop these bylaw changes. We think the changes will significantly improve accessibility for everyone, without adding to construction costs.
One essential accessibility feature, however, is not included in the proposed amendments. Although they include a requirement for adequate accessibility inside of new homes, there is no requirement for accessible entrances (i.e., a way to get from the outside of a home to the entrance).
This requirement has not been included in the proposed changes because it requires that the City go through a different planning process. Vancouver’s Director of Planning, Mr. Brian Jackson, has made a commitment to start this process. Based on this commitment, our committees support the current proposed amendments.
Please take the opportunity to provide feedback about these proposed amendments, including the requirement for accessible entrances. Please visit http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/public-consultations-about-building-regulations.aspx and click on Public Consultation Round 4. You can also email comments and concerns to the Chief Building Official, Mr. Will Johnston, at cbo@vancouver.ca
The official public consultation closes at 4:30pm on Tuesday, April 30th, but Mr. Johnston is willing to receive email comments after that date.
For more information, please contact Chris Morrissey, Chair of the Seniors’ Advisory Committee at 604.877.7768 (chrismrrss42@gmail.com), or Jill Weiss, Chair of the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee, at 604.608.0384.
Please note: The issue of accessible entrances applies to houses, townhouses, laneway houses, and duplexes only because the current building code already requires accessible entrances for all newly-built apartment buildings with more than three units.
