Incentivizing Construction of Housing with

Universal Design

Universal Design and Housing

According to the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, “Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.”

Homes built with universal design principles are accessible for people with a wide range of experiences and especially benefit people with disabilities and people with mobility impairments.

Universal Design Features

Universally designed homes may include features such as:

  • A no-step entry into the home
  • A bathroom on the main floor
  • Rocker light switches and door levers, which are easier to use for people who have trouble grasping, pinching, and twisting
  • Electrical outlets and temperature controls at accessible heights

Universally designed homes may also include infrastructure to make future modifications easier, such as:

  • Blocking near toilets and showers for the future installation of grab bars
  • An outlet at the base of the stairs for future installation of a stair lift
  • Removable cabinets

Comprehensive Plan Language

At the October 4, 2024 regular meeting of the SSHA3P Executive Board, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-07, which recommends that SSHA3P member governments include a policy incentivizing construction of housing with universal design principles in their 2024 Comprehensive Plan periodic updates.

Specifically, the Executive Board recommended that member governments planning under the Growth Management Act incorporate into the Comprehensive Plan periodic update the following goal/policy or one similar:

“Increase the supply of housing accessible for people of all ages, sizes, abilities, and disabilities by incentivizing the construction of housing designed with universal design principles.”

The resolution also includes narrative pieces that can be included in a Comprehensive Plan to provide context for the goal/policy, including:

  • Data on Pierce County’s aging and disabled populations
  • Data on the accessibility of the housing stock in Pierce County
  • Information on universal design and its benefits
  • Commitment to taking further action to understand what features to incentivize and how

Benefits of Building with Universal Design

Incentivizing construction of housing built with universal design principles may:

  • Increase supply of accessible housing for a wide range of people, and especially for people with disabilities and/or mobility impairments
  • Allow people who are aging or have changing health needs to remain in their homes
  • Reduce the need for expensive home modifications

Next Steps

The SSHA3P Advisory Board is continuing work to make additional recommendations on specific incentive policies that can be used to implement the recommended Comprehensive Plan goal/policy.

Click here to find information on upcoming and past Advisory Board meetings.

Questions about this work? Reach out to Mary Connolly at mary.connolly@piercecountywa.gov or (253) 625 4153.