Life and Independence for Today.
Housing.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
In order to make the Commonwealth a better place to live while fostering community and economic development, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides capital for decent, safe and affordable homes and apartments for older adults, persons of modest means and those persons with special housing needs.
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency was created by the General Assembly in 1972 to provide more affordable housing for older adults, families of modest means and persons with disabilities. To date, the Agency has financed more than 84,000 houses and 55,000 apartment units while saving 26,000 homes from foreclosure.
PHFA's funding comes from a variety of sources; including the sale of its own securities to private investors throughout the United States; and, program fees and funds that may be passed through from the state or federal governments. Agency expenses are paid from fee and investment income; part of the investment earnings are used to subsidize housing programs.
To find out more about he Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, visit their web page at: www.phfa.org.
VisitAbility in Pennsylvania.
The Americans with Disabilities Act and advocacy groups across the nation have heightened the public's awareness of problems encountered by people with permanent or temporary disabilities. The requirement of access in all public places has made the populace at least aware that problems of access do exist for millions.
The mission of VisitAbility in Pennsylvania is to extend awareness to include and enhance the user-friendliness of all homes through wise design choices and decisions. Changes in new homes and renovations are not expensive. They make the dwelling accessible and safer.
VisitAbility specifically encourages:
One Zero-step entrance where possible
By situating a home with access in mind, a zero-step entrance can usually be achieved without the expense of a ramp. Often, the land can be graded to allow the sidewalk or driveway to form a natural ramp.
All doors as wide as possible.
Usually, a 32" door will provide less than 30" of clear space - not enough for a wheelchair to get through without scraping. Upgrading to a 36" door is typically inexpensive, and eases movement for people (and for household items too)!
In the design phase, basic accessibility in the bathroom is readily achievable at comparable cost to typical bathroom layouts through thoughtful selection and arrangement of fixtures. These features are good for everyone. From the person pushing a stroller to the movers to your friends with disabilities. They allow people to remain in their homes as they age. They make difficult times of accidents less trying.
VisitAbility in Pennsylvania will work with home-builders, home buyers, lenders, realtors, architects and design professionals to make VisitAbility become reality in Pennsylvania.
To find out more about VisitAbility in Pennsylvania, visit their web page at: http://www.liftcil.org/visitability.htm