Jan 06 2025
We are thrilled to announce that all of our homes will now feature new accessibility enhancements designed to support a wide range of needs.
As part of the 2025-2026 build season, Habitat GFW will continue its focus on constructing homes in the Renaissance Pointe neighborhood in Southeast Fort Wayne as well as Huntington, Indiana. Each Habitat home will be built with accessibility in mind, incorporating universal design elements that make the homes more visitable and adaptable.
“We are committed to building homes that meet the diverse needs of our community. By adding these accessibility features, we aim to ensure that every homeowner, regardless of their mobility or physical abilities, can enjoy a home that is not only affordable, but also safe, comfortable, and welcoming.”
Jeff Bredemeier
Director of Construction
Additional ADA-compliant options for Habitat GFW homes are available upon request from future homeowners in the program.
The accessibility improvements, made in collaboration with AWS Foundation, are designed to create a more inclusive living environment by making homes safer and more adaptable for individuals with mobility challenges, aging adults, and anyone who might need additional support in the future.
“Too often readily available homes are inaccessible, creating added barriers to homeownership for people with disabilities,” says AWS Foundation CEO, Patti Hays. “Adding universal design elements to Habitat homes ensures more equitable access to affordable housing and can allow for aging in place, thus adding potential for building neighborhood stability.”
“We’ve had a lot of barriers in life, but we never gave up on our hopes and dreams. As a family, we always strive for better. I never thought we would be able to buy a house. This will be a stable, forever home. We are so grateful.”
MADISON FAMILY
To call the Madison family hard-working is an understatement. Adam and Trisha both have physical limitations — Adam is legally blind while Trisha has been dealing with nervous system issues for her entire adult life. Despite their limitations, they find ways to help others in the community and are amazing parents to their three children while supporting Trisha’s brother who has Cerebral Palsy.
A Habitat home means so much to the Madison family. Their new home will be ADA-compliant, which means wider hallways and doorways to fit Trisha’s brother’s wheelchair and grab bars in each bathroom. They’re looking forward to the freedom that will come with a one-story home (no stairs to navigate and climb) built with their needs in mind.
