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Berkeley Project Offers Integrated Living for DisabledA partnership between San Francisco-based Hearth Homes and Affordable Housing Associates (AHA) in Berkeley, Calif., has produced the nation's first affordable- and universal-designed housing project.
Located in Berkeley on the site of a former paint store, University Neighborhood Apartments features 29 residential units, common areas, and ground-floor commercial space.
All of the apartments are for low-income families, and 14 units are reserved for disabled individuals and their families.
Residents for the disabled units are selected by lottery from individuals on the Section 8 rental voucher waiting list in the City of Berkeley; the remaining apartments are marketed to the general public.
Susan Friedland, executive director of AHA, credits Hearth Homes founder and president Sue Siegel's "personal passion and vision for integrating disabled and non-disabled residents" for making University Neighborhood a reality.
Born from Siegel's experience caring for her husband after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Hearth Homes was founded with the purpose of "building integrated housing with a community spirit."
"University Neighborhood Apartments show that affordable housing does not have to be ordinary," says architect Kava Massih, AIA, principal of Kava Massih Architects.
The urban complex provides 11 three-
more: www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek0... (97)
August 10, 2005 | Viewed 17,793 time(s)
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