Hollingsworth on accessibility alterations shrinking apartments without notice
Hollingsworth says first-floor apartments were altered for wheelchair accessibility even where residents did not need accessible units, reducing usable space. She says residents were not shown altered floor plans and some returned to find their furniture no longer fit.
A number of first floor apartments were altered to provide wheelchair accessibility, even though the residents occupying those particular apartments did not require accessible units.
We want to be
Be very clear.
Accessibility is not the problem.
Accessible apartments are necessary and important.
The issue is what happened to the existing residents.
30 seconds to wrap it up.
Hallways were widened, bathrooms enlarged to accommodate roll-in showers.
As a result, usable space elsewhere in the apartments was reduced.
Residents were not shown the altered floor plans beforehand.
Some residents returned from temporary relocation and discovered that furniture and belongings that fit into their apartments before construction no longer fit.
One resident, after seeing her altered apartment, refused to return because she said that she can't fit.
She's being threatened that she will lose her subsidy if she doesn't go back.
You finished?
No, I'm not.
I'll give you 30 more seconds.
Okay, thank you.
Residents should not discover permanent alterations to their homes only after the work has already been completed.