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Habitat for Humanity unveils universally designed home; city staff credits COBAC input
Summary
City equity director Andres Portela reported that Habitat for Humanity unveiled a universally designed home that incorporated COBAC's earlier guidance on universal design and accessibility.
Andres Portela, the city’s equity and inclusion director, told the committee that Habitat for Humanity recently unveiled a universally designed home that incorporated feedback previously shared by COBAC.
Portela said the Habitat project included multiple universal-design features — from convection cooktops to outward-opening ovens and other accessible elements — and that the Habitat team indicated willingness to share its approach with other builders. "They took all the feedback that was given, all the discussion that was had here at COBAC and then relayed in a project," Portela said, calling the home "beautiful" and praising the collaboration between Habitat and the committee.
Why this matters: Universal-design practices in new housing can reduce the need for costly retrofits and improve long-term accessibility for residents with disabilities. Portela said the Habitat example could serve as a model builders can adopt or adapt.
Committee members welcomed the update and thanked Portela for sharing the example; no formal action was taken.
