In a compelling op-ed for the Marin Independent Journal, Carmela Davis, housing specialist with the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative, highlights Marin County’s critical shortage of accessible housing. Drawing from both personal experience and her work in housing advocacy, Davis underscores how Marin’s older housing stock, much of it built before accessibility standards existed, continues to exclude residents with disabilities and limits options for older adults to age in place.

Davis writes:
“Disability is the largest and most intersectional minority in the world. One of the best ways to support people with disabilities in Marin is to encourage the development of new housing… The bulk of Marin’s housing was built from 1942 to 1979. California did not implement state accessibility standards until the 1980s, and the ADA was not established nationally until 1990.”

Her call to action is clear: inclusive design must be a priority from the outset—not treated as an afterthought. Small, proactive design features like wider doorways, zero-step entries, and accessible handrails can make homes safer and more functional for everyone, including older adults facing mobility challenges.

This issue is urgent. Across the Bay Area, the aging population is growing rapidly, yet the region’s housing remains largely inaccessible. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, many older adults face a “dual burden” of housing costs and care needs, with a large share unable to afford both.

For community land trusts, the message is clear: creating housing that is affordable, accessible, and designed to meet the needs of a diverse population—including people with disabilities and seniors—is foundational to building inclusive, resilient communities.

Source:
Marin Voice: Our Communities Deserve More Accessible Housing, Marin Independent Journal, February 3, 2025
https://www.marinij.com/2025/02/03/marin-voice-our-communities-deserve-more-accessible-housing/