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Panel discusses high U.S. elevator costs, code and market changes that could lower barriers to accessible housing
Summary
An informational hearing before the Senate Committee on Housing and Development examined how elevator costs, code requirements and market structure affect the supply of accessible multifamily and low-rise housing. Experts and advocates said U.S. elevator installation and maintenance costs are several times higher than in Western Europe and cited
Lawmakers heard an informational briefing on Aug. 30 about how the cost and regulation of residential elevators affect housing accessibility and the feasibility of building low-rise multifamily housing with elevators.
What experts said: Michael Anderson of Sightline Institute told the committee "The United States has by far the fewest number of elevators per capita among rich countries" and that U.S. elevator installation and operating costs run substantially higher than in peer countries. Steven Smith, executive director of the Center for Building in North America, told the committee a "4 to 6 stop elevator in The U.S. ... will run you about $160 to $180,000," compared with $35,000 to $65,000 for a comparable installation in Europe, and that U.S. elevator…
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