OHFA Annual Plan - Ohio Housing Finance Agency

Executive SummaryOhio’s supply of housing is not functional for people who have or will develop disabilitiesdue to aging or other reasons. The ramifications of this inadequate supply affect notonly thousands of Ohioans with disabilities and their families but also have major costimplications for government. Because housing stock does not change rapidly, there is anurgency to act now to address this need.There are very few programs that directly address this issue. Most of the programsidentified allow expenditures to make housing accessible but that is typically one of manyuses and it is difficult to track how much is actually being spent on accessibility. Most of theprograms that specifically address accessible housing have long waiting lists for service oradmission. Also, many are limited to seniors.It is generally agreed that accessibility is more easily achieved in new construction. Homemodification programs play a vital role in allowing people to remain in their homes but thelong-term answer is in new construction. Recently published research underscores thispoint. The study shows that over its lifespan, there is a 60 percent chance that a newly builthouse will have an occupant who needs accessibility modifications.The other significant issue identified in the data collection was, in fact, the lack of data.There are not good records on the numbers and locations of accessible units. This can leadto underutilization of the limited resources available.Best practices reviewed in other states and within Ohio show that many governments aretaking the step of requiring additional levels of accessibility in some of their programs.There are also efforts to require that accessible rental units be listed and/or marketed assuch.The policy recommendations of the workgroup center around two primary areas:• To continue efforts by OHFA and others to require accessibility in all new constructionand to provide funding for home modifications• To promote information about accessible housing through technological and nontraditionalchannels.People with disabilities are the only population that can be excluded from housing simplybecause of the physical structure of the housing. Changing the physical structure of housingby making it accessible, adaptable, or visitable is the only way to address this issue in thelong run.67