FIXING HABITAT'S BAD HABITS

by Zan Thornton

June third found Georgia disability activists had taken to the streets of Americus, GA to take Habitat for Humanity to task. Local housing activists with Concrete Change, ADAPT and other groups had thought they had several years ago won support for adaptive, or "visitable" design in Habitat's new house designs. They were deeply disturbed to find Habitat reneging on this commitment just as they were receiving thousands of dollars in federal HUD funds. Habitat, whose motto is "building houses in partnership with God's people in need" had included language in their 1992 Plan Book supporting accessible and adaptable housing design "accessibility and adaptability are important issues in current housing design.... A true community can develop where people of all abilities are able to visit each other's homes, without physical barriers isolating those with disabilities. [Plan Book p.31]"

One of the disability activists, Pat Puckett, summed it up "We came to Americus with the intention on getting Habitat to carry through with their prior commitment... The concept of visitability is true Christian community where all people are welcome. A no step entrance and wider doorways are welcoming to people in wheelchairs. We came here with six goals and Habitat appears to be willing to work with us so we can mutually agree upon strategies to reach these goals."

Habitat had best be serious this time. The disability community's frustration over housing is beginning to boil. And there are only so many cheeks one can turn in response to the slaps of this kind of double talk, Christian or otherwise.