Visitability
Tennessee Celebrates Completion of 100th EasyLiving Home
Typically, homes have not been built to welcome all friends, family and visitors regardless of age, size or physical ability. The Council's Visitability project, EasyLiving Homes of Tennessee (ELH) is addressing that issue.
EasyLiving Home of Tennessee (ELH TN) is a statewide coalition of home builders, advocates for Tennesseans who are aging or have disabilities, and others seeking more houses that are attractive and convenient for everyone.
ELH of Tennessee is guided by the Visitability Task Force and operated by the Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness in collaboration with West Tennessee Housing Resource Network. The project was implemented in May 2008. The web site is www.easylivinghometn.org.
In August, 2009 ELH of Tennessee celebrated the certification of its 100th home. Mayor Phillip Craighead and State Rep. Susan Lynn were among several dignitaries who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony was held in Stonebridge, a Master Planned Community by Goodall Homes and Communities in Lebanon.
"A real home is one where all your friends and family can visit. It is exciting to be celebrating the construction of this 100th home where that will be so easy," said Carol Westlake, executive director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition. ELH TN has certified houses in Nashville, Lebanon, Knoxville, Dunlap, Gray, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, White House, Jackson and Kingsport.
"This concept has really taken off in Tennessee and we expect that more and more homebuilders will recognize the benefits of constructing these houses," said Wanda Willis, executive director of the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities.
"We're thrilled to participate in the celebration of the state's 100th EasyLiving Home. Houses like this are vital to AARP's goal of making communities more livable for us all," said AARP Tennessee State Director Rebecca Kelly.
**As of February 2010, 149 homes have been certified.
Governor Bill Haslam
