AFO plans to build multiple apartment buildings across Massachusetts, each with 21 affordable,
wheelchair-accessible units (1, 2, and 3 bedrooms), meeting or exceeding state and federal accessibility
laws. Our first building will be in the North Shore area, with additional regional locations to follow. We
aim to take this initiative nationwide in the future.
We know firsthand that there is a tremendous nationwide shortage of safe and affordable wheelchair-
accessible housing for people with disabilities. Massachusetts is particularly problematic due to high
housing costs.
Many are homeless. Others are forced to live in nursing homes or other unsafe and unsanitary
conditions, struggling with inaccessible bathrooms and kitchens, and often unable to independently
exit buildings during emergencies.
AFO will build with tenant safety, comfort, and security in mind, incorporating unmatched accessible
features and specific engineering and design to ensure fire prevention, ease of evacuation, power
backup, and more.
The building construction will consist of high strength and highly energy-efficient ICF Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) for all exterior walls, and will utilize high efficient (93% or better) Energy Star heating and cooling systems. Each apartment will be outfitted with Energy Star certified energy-efficient appliances and low wattage energy-efficient LED lighting as well as utilize both passive and active solar gain.
Apartments will be oversized and outfitted with accessibility features that should be found in any wheelchair accessible apartment, including:
– A complete wheelchair accessible gym with gym equipment
– Raised-bed flower and vegetable gardening
– Basketball court
– Tennis court
– Solarium
– Visiting barber & hair salon services
– Outdoor areas for sitting, eating and barbecue cooking
– Mailboxes modified for ease of access
– Amazon Echo for each apartment,
– Cable TV
– Central air-conditioning
– Radiant floor heating
While there are many buildings that are built to code for the disabled community, the codes are often implemented as a compromise and don’t necessarily mean that people with disabilities have success living in and navigating those spaces. The truth is that more often than not, once code is met, the caring stops.
Levels of disability and wheelchair use differs from person to person, and housing accommodations should as well. Your home should be a warm, comfortable space that lifts you up and helps you achieve success and accomplish your goals — not a place of frustration and limitation, designed to keep you from doing the things you could and should be doing for yourself.
At Access for Opportunity we are committed to going ABOVE & BEYOND to make your new home part of the level playing field that will ultimately help you excel in life. Additionally, we have included the addition of several redundant safety features to the building that go far beyond building code — fire prevention and structural primarily.
Access for Opportunity will not compromise the safety of our residents. Our team is committed to making sure our building is as safe, accessible and comfortable as possible.
Your generous, tax deductible donation to Access for Opportunity will make a life-changing difference.
AFO is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
