Updates

Welcome to the City of Vernon and the City of Armstrong to the SAFERhome Society Membership

The City of Vernon organized a “get to know SAFERhome” meeting and brought in their inspectors and planners as well as other planners and inspectors from adjoining areas.

Vernon and Armstrong have joined in with Maple Ridge in being proactive with the community housing. These communities now have a real and tangible tool kit to future proof their housing.

Now you can get a hard copy of the SAFERhome manual or just some friendly SAFERhome facts at any of their planning departments. These communities are now helping to get their community members all the real information needed to design, build or renovate a home to be a better place to live.

Englewood Courtyard
– completed & SAFERhome Certified

This Project is now officially inspected and certified “SAFERhome”.

You will be amazed at the quality and design that Mark Perry and his team have built. This is the most advanced new housing in Canada and nothing even close to this anywhere in North America. True Sustainable design that turns a house into a wonderful home.

Our excellent ASTTBC Inspectors have now certified the first building and we have gathered some great cost information. The costs of including the SAFERhome Standards have come in lower than even we had originally forecast. More cost information will be on this page shortly.

ASTTBC Renews Link with SAFERhome Standards Society

SAFERhome folk visited ASTTBC recently to re-connect and consider how the two groups might once again collaborate in the delivery of the SAFERhome program.

Pictured here are (l to r): ASTTBC CEO John Leech; SAFER Executive Director Gord Porter; Founding Executive Director Pat Simpson; SAFER marketing and promotion champion Debbie Walker and ASTTBC Manager, Professional Practice & Development, Jason Jung.

Several years ago ASTTBC collaborated with SAFERhome in developing and publishing a Guide. In addition ASTTBC and SAFERhome collaborated in developing a special SAFER Certification program for ASTTBC registered House and Property Inspectors. ASTTBC members who complete the training are recognized by SAFERhome to inspect and approve a building as having met the SAFERhome Standards.

April 11, 2016

SAFERhome Standards Society partners with Homeowner Protection Office Technical Research & Education

SAFERhome is a program recipient for the HPO’s Building Excellence Research & Education Grants, Spring 2016.  The details of the Industry Research Project are outlined below.

Universal Design Housing

Description • The universal design housing standards include safety and accessibility features such as wider doors, lower thresholds, easier access to light switches, smart home-style electrical options. • This study will identify research costs and benefits to incorporate universal design standards in low-rise multi-unit buildings.

Status: Project to be completed in 2016  Partners: SAFERhome Standards Society  Audience: Builders, design professionals and the industry in general.

March 10, 2016

Building for Aging in Place

Gordon Porter Executive Director, presentation to Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia.

Creating inclusive housing designs with universal design principles is an important topic in all communities. When widely adopted by developers, inclusive housing design will help meet the changing needs of homeowners in residential buildings and serve the general needs of families and seniors. This course will demonstrate:

• the incentives for developers and the direct benefits of building a home with inclusive design features;
• the true costs of implementing inclusive housing design features; and
• how to develop marketing language to clarify the value of the end product. link to presentation

Research Study on Universal Design Features in Residential Buildings

The Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), a branch of BC Housing, has partnered with the SAFERhome Standards Society to conduct a research study on the costs and benefits of incorporating universal design features in residential buildings. Homes built to SAFERhome standards can easily adapt to changing lifestyle needs to accommodate accessibility modifications over time.

“Universal design is about everyone. It’s a way of keeping children safer, a way of more easily having grandparents live or visit at home, and a way to age in place with dignity. Universal design creates more inclusive communities and supports inter-generational living,” said Patrick Simpson, past Executive Director, SAFERhome Standards Society.

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Announcement – New Pilot Project for BC Residential Developers

These great community people came out to help with the announcement of the new pilot project for BC residental developers that supports the building of Universal Design Housing. BC Gov News – New incentive project supports universal design housing

left to right: Mayor Brodie of Richmond, Anne McMullin President & CEO of UDI, Hon. Minister Yap, Al Hogarth Chairman of SAFERhome Board, Rob Howard MLA of Richmond.