Lifelong Homes & Communities
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Homes that support every stage of life.
IBE’s Lifelong Homes & Communities certifications guide developers, builders, homeowners, and municipalities toward housing that is safe, healthy, and accessible — no matter how life changes.
Why Lifelong Homes?
The older adult population is growing rapidly and over 25 percent of U.S. adults live with a visual, mobility, cognitive, learning, hearing, mental, or social disability. Meeting that demand requires more housing that is built to adapt as needs change…adding ease to daily life for everyone.
What Are Lifelong Homes & Communities?
Built on research into the environmental and social determinants of health, IBE has identified five categories that redefine what makes a home safe, healthy, and accessible. Lifelong Homes certification is for individual homes; Lifelong Communities certification is for neighborhoods that support active, healthy living for all residents.
What IBE Is Working To Do
- Help overcome market and industry barriers to lifelong homes and communities
- Guide developers, designers, and builders to create lifelong homes and communities
- Educate homeowners and homebuyers about lifelong home strategies and features
- Provide municipalities with home design and construction tools to accommodate all residents
The Certification System
Every Lifelong Home and Lifelong Community certification is scored across five focus areas:
- Community Context: Access to community, services and neighborhood amenities
- Visitability: Welcoming all visitors, regardless of ability
- Design & Adaptability: Design processes and livable interior design features that adapt to diverse needs
- Health, Safety & Wellness: Design and behavior measures that support overall wellbeing
- Affordability & Maintenance: Financially feasible over time starting with first cost and into operations and maintenance.
Learn more about the research, see pilot projects, and read the full criteria in our most recent whitepaper.
Sample Projects
If you’re interested in joining our pilot program, let’s connect!
Thanks to Our Supporters
The Lifelong Homes & Communities initiative is possible thanks to the generous support of our financial supporters, research partners, and Action Advisory Team members.
Financial Supporters
Research Partners
Action Advisory Team Members
Education
Ali Hayes
Erin Maruzzella
Anne Perry
Drew Sorrells
Healthy Materials
Annabelle Bradford
Ali Hayes
Susan MacMurchy
Drew Sorrells
Health & Wellness
Karyn Hamilton
Erin Maruzzella
Karen Roof
Drew Sorrells
Juliana Young
Communications
Kris Laine
Susan MacMurchy
Drew Sorrells
Fundraising
Jim Hunter
Drew Sorrells
Jennifer Vecchi
Kim Winger
Research
Annabelle Bradford
Karyn Hamilton
Angela Loder
Jamie Riggs
AAT Members at Large
Nicole Ehrhart
Bill Swalling
