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DESIGN FOR LIFE C V I L L E Building Today’s Home for Charlottesville Future The Design for Life Cville guidelines for visit -ability and live-ability incorporate design features such as a no step entrance, making it easier and safer to bring in a baby stroller, move in large furniture, accommodate a person living with a temporary or permanent disability, accommodate friends or relatives who have mobility limitations, and ultimately will help people age in place. CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE Neighborhood Development Services PO Box 911 I 610 E Market St Charlottesville, VA 22902 Phone: (434) 970-3182 Fax: (434) 970-3359 Virginia Relay 7-1-1 www.charlottesville.org/nds A Great Place to Live for All our Citizens The Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit The Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit (LHTC) program is designed to improve accessibility and universal design in Virginia’s residential units by providing state tax credits for the purchase of new units or the retrofitting of existing housing units. To qualify for the tax credit, a new home must include at least three universal design features, and a retrofitted existing home must include at least one universal design feature: Accessible route to a zero-step entrance into the residence Zero-step entrance into the residence Doors with at least 32 inches of clear width Hallways and passages with at least 36 inches of clear width Accessible light switches, electrical outlets and environmental controls Accessible bathroom Accessible and useable kitchen facilities For full instructions and the application form, visit Virginia Department of Housing and Com- munity Development’s website at: http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/ housingpreservationrehabilitation/ Tax_credit_program.htm (Livable for a Lifetime, 2011) ---PAGE BREAK--- Build or Renovate Your Home… for All Ages and Stages of Life Design for Life Cville is the first voluntary certification program in Virginia for Visit- Ability and Live-Ability in single family attached and detached homes located in the City of Charlottesville. Its guidelines apply to both new construction and renovation of existing homes. Whether you are a first time homebuyer, young family, career professional, active adult, or person living with a temporary or permanent disability, your home will be enhanced by these additional design features which will meet your needs throughout your life. Level 1: Visit-Ability A Visit-Able home has three basic design elements: At least one no-step entry located at any door, deck, or through a garage connected to an accessible route to a place to visit on that level or other level by way of an elevating device. 32 inch or 2' x 10" nominal clear width interior doors on the Visit-Able level. An accessible powder room or bathroom on the Visit-Able level. Level 2: Live-Ability A Live-Able home has: The three basic design features of a Visit -Able home, and: At least one bedroom, full bath, and kitchen with a circulation path that connects the rooms to an accessible entrance on the Visit-Able level. No-step front door entrance. Unique Features of the Design for Life Cville Program One program with two optional standards of accessibility. Voluntary. Targets new construction and renovation of existing homes. Successful informal partnership of City, building/business community and advocates. Administered by the City as part of the regular permitting process, not a special process. Upon certification city will refund 25% of permit fees for visit-ability or 50% of permit fees for live-ability. City Zoning Text Amendment provides by right the use of setback areas for access as an element of the full program. Accessible kitchen in a townhome.