IF YOU ARE A PUBLIC SERVANT, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE EQUALLY

YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED AND MUST QUIT YOUR JOB

City official: "It denies access to people with disabilities, but it technically meets code. So there's nothing we can do."

Me: Fix your broken code.

Laws prevented women from voting & deemed Black people 3/5ths of a human being.

Just because it's the law doesn't mean it's right.

Perpetuating discrimination is NEVER following the rule of law.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

Perhaps I was a victim of a crime ring that feeds drug habits and worse.

Or maybe my assailants were so pushed aside by society that thievery was a means to feeding family or paying for basic shelter.

I don’t condone crime, but I also do not condone the demonizing of cities and the diverse people that power them.

Cities, warts and all, are historically where our forebears settled, scratched out a living and created a life better for each succeeding generation.

They are the future of a strong and diverse nation.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

I have worked in the disability space – as a caregiver, educator and advocate – for four decades.

I have witnessed first hand the economic struggles of people with disabilities, who, according to U.S. Labor statistics, are the most under- and unemployed of all minority groups.

I know that the wealth of cities includes space for diverse people, as well as robust transit to job opportunities for people with a wide range of mobility needs.

More than two years since being victimized in Paris, I remain convinced that ableism and exclusion do more damage to our cities and society than the most hardened criminals.

I firmly believe that in these polarized times, we must embrace environmental justice while addressing systemic exclusion that causes crime.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

Unable to sleep because of severe concussion symptoms, I wondered how the violent crime would impact me.

Would I, a longtime urban dweller and planner, sour on cities?

Would my progressive politics shift?

No, quite the opposite.

My belief in diversity and how big cities support diverse people is unshaken.

Not that long ago, people who used wheelchairs were barred from mainstream institutions and hauled off to “special” schools.

They had to fight to attend college.

To this day, 34 years after the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, less than one percent of housing in the U.S. is accessible to wheelchair users.

Otherwise intelligent people pejoratively label the liberating use of a mobility device as being “confined to a wheelchair.”

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

It was ironic that I was in town to give a speech at the 58^th International Making Cities Livable Conference.

My presentation was on sidewalks and transit and connectivity that makes life livable for all people — and especially those who use wheelchairs for mobility.

I have expertise and personal passion for Universal Design because for three decades; I was the direct caregiver to a person who used a power wheelchair for mobility.

I was the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity guy.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

I was reeling from a robbery and beating.

Did my head, thumping with what would turn out to be a concussion, turn to thoughts of vengeance? 

Sure, for a brief period.

But after completing a police report – and being told gangs that do this are never caught – I started thinking about the big picture.

I love cities, feel they are safe and am even willing to suffer injury and financial loss to keep immersing myself in them.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

Lately, all eyes have been focused on the Paris Olympics and anticipating the Paralympics.

But just a few years ago, I experienced the dark side of the City of Light.

I was hustling to change from the RER train for Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Metro M6 to reach my hotel on Place Italie.

Groggy-eyed, suitcase-wheeling and just-arrived staring at the Metro map, I was an easy mark.

Waiting for an English-speaking detective, I started canceling credit cards and closing a now exposed bank account.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

A traveler’s worst nightmare?

Three men — all less than half my age — crashed into me just as the subway doors were closing.

Shoved, I banged my head on one the poles for standing riders to grasp and fell forward in pain.

Even though I was blindsided and injured, my first thought was to pat my right hip.

Sure enough, the wallet I forgot to hide in my book bag was gone – and with it, more than $500 in cash, all my credit cards and my identification. 

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

Kleo J. King, who served as general counsel to the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, is the Senior Director of Accessibility Operations & Counsel for the United Spinal Association – a national nonprofit that is based in Queens. 

She said Universal Design is not only essential, but it also adds value to housing.

“Universal Design and aging in place principles should be added to all new construction and rehabilitation residential projects which would increase the ability for people to stay in place as they age or acquire a disability. 

Providing removable base cabinets in kitchens and bathroom, blocking for grab bars around the toilet and shower, widening doorways, and minimizing level changes in a unit allow for easier and less expensive modification if they are needed,” said King.

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

In February 2023, The New York City Council approved a law aimed at creating more accessible housing. 

It requires housing developers receiving city funds for new rental developments with over 41 units to incorporate universal design features–such as wheelchair access especially in the bath and kitchen plus adjustable countertops.

The goal of the law is to make all units fully accessible to any occupant no matter their age, or disability. 

The law is intended to create accessible housing, so elderly and disabled New Yorkers are not dependent on pleading with landlords to make adaptations on a case-by-case basis.

 

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

Rodney Harrell, vice president, family, home and community for AARP,  said there is a huge economic benefit to building housing and neighborhoods that are accessible to all.

He said if a person can no longer use the stairs at their house or apartment building, they stay home and become socially isolated.

He cited AARP research that found the impact on the health of socially isolated older adults is an estimated $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending annually. 

That impact didn’t consider the same negative impact on the health of people with disabilities who are not elderly.

Clearly, cities that use tax credits and other incentives on affordable/accessible housing–can potentially erase hundreds of billions in Medicare and Medicaid spending.

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

Rodney Harrell, vice president, family, home and community for AARP, knows there is a huge market for affordable, accessible housing.

“Think of it not pure wheelchair access but making our housework for us at all ages. Design for all abilities makes our housing stock more valuable,” he said, noting that accessibility features do not limit re-sale or re-rent to people with disabilities. 

“I laugh when I watch HGTV and see housing with a zero threshold  shower with a fold down bench in the home of a young family. 

They might be doing it for design reasons. But over time, they will need these features.”

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

“People with disabilities are the largest minority in America—well more than 60 million and the number is growing. 

“It makes sense for the public and private sector to respond to this,” said Allie Cannington, The Kelsey’s senior project manager, organizing & advocacy.

“A 2020 study by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency found that for every dollar spent on home repair (to make it more accessible for aging and disability), there were $19 in Medicare savings,” she added, emphasizing that investing in affordable, accessible housing is not just the right thing to do for human beings, but also a huge return on investment.

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

Allie Cannington, The Kelsey’s senior project manager, organizing & advocacy, noted that The Kelsey Civic Center, a 112-unit, amenity-rich, urban co-living community across from San Francisco City Hall, is coming in at 14 percent less than the city average cost of residential construction.

She suggests that states, when they are scoring applications for LIHTC, should give a high rank to submissions that include accessibility for people with disabilities. 

That, matched with city incentives, would increase the amount of accessible housing—changing the present reality that 95 percent of all housing excludes people with disabilities, with 99 percent off limits to wheelchair users.

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

The Kelsey Ayer Station is a fully inclusive mixed-ability, mixed-income housing community located in a transit-oriented neighborhood blocks north of downtown San Jose.

The 115 apartment homes come with inclusion concierges that will connect residents to the community and support services.

“There is a dangerous assumption that making disability-forward housing comes with an exorbitant cost. 

We work in one of the most expensive markets in the nation and found if your are have good partners, you can deliver at a cost on par with (not accessible) market-rate housing.

Kelsey Ayer Station is on par with San Jose Costs,” said Allie Cannington, The Kelsey’s senior project manager, organizing & advocacy.

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

“Low Income Housing Tax Credits is one of biggest drivers of affordable housing. At the federal level, we need more tax credits to fund affordable housing. 

And we need to make sure the end unit is affordable and adaptable (to serve people with disabilities,” said Allie Cannington, The Kelsey’s senior project manager, organizing & advocacy, who uses a wheelchair for mobility. 

“We need state and local government to invest in developer subsidies and vouchers for residents. 

We need to make affordable, accessible housing the norm across the country.”

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

“Part of solution to this housing crisis is to go beyond looking at number of units, so we’re looking at the type of housing. 

It is critical to build integrated housing—disabled people are not isolated or segregated,” said Allie Cannington, The Kelsey’s senior project manager, organizing & advocacy.

“We emphasize creating housing for people who need supportive services in their homes and communities. 

We do this with our own developments and through the policy changes we push for.”

Cannington noted that The Kelsey advocates for more use of LIHTC and more tax credit projects to be move-in ready for people with disabilities. 

The nonprofit also has collaborated with architecture firms to create a free, online guide to Housing Design Standards of Accessibility and Inclusion.

 

 

 

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is a federal program providing tax credits to developers who build new housing for low-income renters. 

The VITAL Act would increase funding for the LIHTC program to increase the number of accessible homes.

The key measure of VITAL is it would require that states construct at least 20 percent of their LIHTC units as accessible and/or walkable and rollable.

The act has been endorsed by a host of disability advocacy organizations, including The Kelsey.

The Kelsey is a disability-forward housing developer in the San Francisco-San Jose area.

In less than two years, it has secured the co-development of 227 inclusive, affordable homes in one of the nation’s most challenging housing markets.

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET 

Further compounding the catastrophic situation, surveys of housing stock show less than five percent of it is move-in ready accessible to people with disabilities. 

Less than one percent of housing is wheelchair accessible and virtually all of that is in multifamily housing. 

Accessible housing features a zero-step entrance, accessible restroom, wider doors, lowered counters and sinks in the kitchen/bath, and other features to accommodate reduced mobility due to aging or disability.

Senator Bob Casey, Democratic chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, held a hearing this summer to sound the alarm over the lack of affordable, accessible housing.

“Stable, high-quality housing is an essential human need and the foundation of community well-being,” Casey said in an interview via email.

“But for millions of Americans, adequate housing is more of an aspiration than a reality. In particular, far too many older adults and people with disabilities cannot afford accessible housing. 

That’s why I introduced the Visitable Inclusive Tax Credit for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act, which would ensure that we are increasing the amount of accessible housing available for people with disabilities and older adults to meet their needs. 

Investments in accessible housing are central to guaranteeing better outcomes in health and satisfaction for older adults and people with disabilities.”

 

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY:

FROM BAD TO WORSE IN A TIGHT U.S. HOUSING MARKET

America is in the throes of an affordable housing crisis. 

Many Americans are considered severely rent-burdened, as they spend more than 50 percent of their earnings on housing.

For people with disabilities and the elderly, there is a triple whammy—prices are soaring, their incomes are not keeping pace, and only a fraction of housing is built to accommodate those with limited mobility.

U.S. Department of Labor statistics consistently prove that people with disabilities are by far the most under-employed, unemployed and impoverished of all marginalized groups. About one in four people in the U.S. have a disability.

By 2030, one in five Americans will be older than 65. This means tens of millions of people cannot afford safe, quality, convenient housing that meets their needs.