This wire-ring bound report on the relationship between housing policy and housing design argues that, with new policies and practices in the housing industry, the South could serve as a model for meeting the physical and social needs of people with disabilities and aging baby boomers. Authors approach the subject from the multidisciplinary field of environment and behavior studies in housing, and seek to broaden the concept of universal design to include the dimensions of self-determination, social identity, and health. Part I outlines the major sociological, economic, environmental, and technological factors that impact housing and disability in the South, and Part II proposes solutions to meeting the current and coming housing needs of the region. The book is illustrated with color photos, maps, and design plans, and offers appendices on factors affecting housing design and construction, housing legislation, agencies, programs, and funding. It will be of interest to policy makers, designers, builders, realtors, and housing and disability advocates. Smith teaches architecture at the University of Arkansas. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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With America on the brink of the largest number of older adults and persons with disabilities in the country’s history, the deceleration in housing production during the first decade of the twenty-first century, and a continued reliance on conventional housing policies and practices, a perfect storm has emerged in the housing industry. The lack of fit between the existing housing stock and the needs of the U.S. population is growing pronounced. Just as housing needed to be retooled at the end of WWII, the American housing industry is in dire need of change today. The South—with its high rates of poverty, older residents, residents with disabilities, extensive rural areas, and out-of-date housing policies and practices—serves as a “canary in the coal mine” for the impending, nationwide housing crisis. Just Below the Line discusses how reworking the policies and practices of the housing industry in the South can serve as a model for the rest of the nation in meeting the physical and social needs of persons with disabilities and aging boomers. Policy makers, designers, builders, realtors, advocates, and housing consumers will be able to use this book to promote the production of equitable housing nationwide. Published in collaboration with the Fay Jones School of Architecture.
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