Housing development in Pittsburgh offering accessible, smart homes to people with disabilities

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

At Waterfront Ridge in Munhall, developer Steve Chupinka's goal was to build affordable and accessible houses.

"As a real estate agent, I really saw a need for it," said Mr. Chupinka, president of Bryler Development and K&S Real Estate.

It was a need also recognized by United Cerebral Palsy/Community Living and Support Services, a nonprofit human service provider for people with disabilities in Allegheny and surrounding counties.

They joined together to create a two-unit, one-level patio home that is handicapped-accessible and uses "smart home" technology. There will be an open house at 106 and 108 Waterfront Ridge Lane today from noon to 5 p.m. Later this month, four men with disabilities will move into the units. Twenty more units are to be built in the development.

"This is a community where anyone can live," Mr. Chupinka said.

The first two units have been specially designed to serve the needs of the men involved in the UCP/CLASS program, said Ron Ruppen, facilities coordinator for UCP Community Service Centre. Two of them are in wheelchairs and have cerebral palsy, and the other two have different levels of brain injury but are ambulatory.

Smart technology includes monitors that detect water leaks and bathroom floors made of special material to prevent slipping. An intercom system links the two units, so in case of an emergency, phones or panic buttons are programmed to activate the intercom to call UCP staff members for help.

Cameras will monitor the entrances so residents can see visitors on their television screens. All of the doorways are at least 36 inches wide, so wheelchairs can easily pass through.

The entrance to the house does not have a step for better wheelchair movement, Mr. Ruppen said. The bathrooms are wide enough to allow for easy turning radius for a wheelchair, and the showers have roll-in access.

"This home and the home next door are fully accessible, but they are residential in nature," said Al Condeluci, CEO of UPC/CLASS. "They don't look institutional."

The single-floor living spaces include two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, a large living room area, kitchen, dining area, laundry room and back porch overlooking the Monongahela River.

UCP/CLASS designed its first smart home two years ago in North Versailles, Mr. Condeluci said. One of the key elements they were aiming for with the Munhall location is "visitability." The sidewalks between the houses facilitate connections with the community, he said.

The homes' design also promotes the idea of aging in place, or creating a home that remains easy to manage and access as residents age.

The four men who will live in the houses saw their newly finished homes last Thursday. The men, who are currently living at Alvern Gardens in Castle Shannon, gave input about furniture, paint colors and kitchen accessories, UCP/CLASS residential supervisor Beth Dotson said.

UCP/CLASS owns the house and will provide staff support for the men, who will pay rent and utilities.

The Waterfront Ridge properties will cost $135,000 to start and can run up to $200,000 depending on what technology and other amenities are included.