It is challenging for any buyer or renter to find a space that they can afford and love in Halifax’s current housing market. If you have looked at housing prices and availability in the past year, you already know the frustration of finding a place that checks the boxes of ‘safe’, ‘clean’, and ‘affordable’… adding a fourth box of ‘accessible’ makes almost any housing option disappear. The truth is, Halifax’s housing market includes a scarce number of accessible homes. This fact becomes a snowballing concern when you consider that amongst the most rapidly growing senior population in Canada, Nova Scotia also has 1 in 3 citizens identifying with a disability.

Perhaps our housing market has such scarce accessible housing options because few homeowners design their new space wanting to add a ramp to their dainty front porch or a chairlift to their polished steps if they do not see it as a necessity. 

However, few know that modern accessible design is lightyears ahead of these aesthetics. Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Professional, Kristen Habermehl, says “Making your home accessible can be very beautiful.” Especially now since we have unlimited options to equip a home with attractive features that no longer appear medical. 

A recent survey revealed that 80% of Nova Scotian respondents want to age in their homes; however, few have homes equipped to accommodate this dream. An accessible home DOES NOT mean compromising on beauty, but it DOES mean the option to age at home, host friends of all abilities, house aging relatives, meet unanticipated future needs and resell your home at a better market value. At Habermehl Contracting, we want to expand your vision for your dream home. Call us today and let us help transform your space into an attractive and welcoming home that accommodates your dreams for today and tomorrow.

• Rachel Habermehl,  April 18, 2023