Home Sweet Home Part 3: Thinking differently about where we live as we get older

This is the third in a quarterly series of workshops we are calling Home, Sweet Home.

Our demographics are changing, and our world is changing, and with them a growing demand for a greater variety of choices in home type, design and location.

Millennials (those born, roughly, in the 1980’s and 2000’s) and Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) alike want to live in smaller, affordable homes in neighborhoods where they can walk safely and easily to where they need to go. But often what is wanted or needed is not available – often because of zoning and other regulations in the community, whether intentional or not.

Most recognize that economic development, community stability, and supporting an aging population all include the critical component of an availability of options for places to live. Affordability is a common theme, accessibility is a common need.

From the series, attendees will come away with

An understanding of the diverse and changing needs of our communities’ populations and what that means for home demand
The ability to inform citizens and policy-makers of the depth and breadth of and benefits of, more diverse housing and more affordable housing in their communities
An awareness that the traditional single-family, three-bedroom detached home can no longer be considered the norm for new homes – and why; as well as an awareness that who is “allowed” to live in current homes could be re-thought
A basic knowledge of different types (including design, location, more) of places to live – the needs they address and the pros and cons of each
An understanding of policy and regulatory tools that can be used to address some of the issues on a community and regional basis

Part Three: Thinking differently about where we live as we get older

Presenters and their topics:

Tim Martin, Administrator at The Woodlands in Lebanon. Mr. Martin will raise the issue of thinking differently about where we build and how we design "senior housing."
Jim Warner, FAIA, and Sandra Hodge IIDA, both of JSA in Portsmouth will talk about How design components in our homes (and outside) can be barriers to daily living - and what can support it as we get older. They will take us on a virtual tour of a universally-designed home, and then take look at an old bathroom and how it can be made over to accommodate the changing needs of its owner(s).

Attendees will come away with:

An understanding of how and why we could think differently about our homes as we get older
An understanding of the importance of location
An understanding of the importance of design
An awareness that traditional approaches to home design and "senior housing" may need to be re-thought.

Thursday, September 15, 2016 at The Audubon Center, Concord.

Doors open at 8:00 AM for registration and breakfast, program starts promptly at 8:30.

Please register no later than September 12. Space is limited.

This workshop approved for 2.0 AICP CM credits

under the APA’s Northern New England Chapter.

It is event #9110604.

This workshop has been approved for 2 AIA LU|HSW credits.

Program:

8:30 Welcome

8:40 - 9:20: Mr. Martin

9:20 - 9:30: Break

9:30 - 10:20 Home design components

10:20 - 10:30: Wrap up.

SAVE THESE DATES FOR UPCOMING HOME, SWEET HOME WORKSHOPS:

December 14: Community Engagement 101: You are starting to think about what you'd like in your own town - when and how bringing citizens to the table could lead to a successful outcome.

March 16, June 14, September 14 and December 13, 2017: topics and presenters yet to be confirmed.