Disabled Housing

[Albert Keener]

I wanted to bring light to this issue.  From personal experience, there doesn't seem to be much disabled housing in this city.   Newer developments, such as Cumberland Meadows and the Cascades, are only open to the elderly.  There has been new housing built for low income families, and on top of that there seems to be an abundance of multi-level housing that could be fixed up for people with lower incomes as well.  I'd like to hear what you think.

[woogus]

This is definitely a need in the area.  I would love to see the Career Center build a home that is accessible to folks with disabilities.  I think it would not only be a great opportunity for the one individual or family that lives in the home but excellent experience for the students who could perhaps make a living building or retrofitting homes that are accessible.

[Upwinger]

Does Habitat for Humanity build housing for the handicapped, or is it strictly low income?

[Albert Keener]

It's good to promote home ownership if the disabled person is able to maintain the property, but one thing you have to keep in mind is what happens if it snows?  Whose going to mow the lawn?  I'm not against building individual detached dwellings, but in many cases an apartment setting works the best for many disabled people, including myself.  Some of the biggest issues for a person in a wheelchair for example are having ample room to maneuver within the living space, and having storage for items such as food, clothing and cooking implements within easy reach.  Things for the blind and hearing impaired are also an issue, such as strobes for fire alarms and braille markings on elevators and stoves.

[purplepride]

Cumberland Meadows-is that the building that used to be the Salvation Army building? That particular one,whatever its called,has always taken handicapped people for tenants. Its not just a seniors building.

[Albert Keener]

Cumberland Meadows-is that the building that used to be the Salvation Army building? That particular one,whatever its called,has always taken handicapped people for tenants. Its not just a seniors building.

No, you're talking about what used to be Booth Towers, which is now Mountain View Apartments.  I'm talking about the new building behind Allegany College.

[thechosenone]

Cumberland has always seem quite unfriendly towards the disabled. The police, have on numerous occasions, refused to ticket people parked in handicapped places without the proper tags or placard. I see numerous violations of the ADA thruout Cumberland and hope that you, Albert, will address many of these problems.

I would also like to see a civilian review board to handle police complaints from citizens as a number of city officers seem to forget that whole "Protect and Serve" thing.