The issues around accessible housing are kind of a mess. The checklist for ideal accessibility (and downright requirements) is huge: ground-level or with an elevator, wide enough doors, large enough to maneuver in a wheelchair, roll-in shower, hardwood floors, etc. etc. Just finding a place can take time and hike up housing costs, and sometimes you will have to throw down some scrilla for modifications, all the way from a cheaper ramp to a full-on bathroom remodel.

The situation becomes ridiculous when you’re renting: under the law, the landlord must allow you to make reasonable modifications, but they don’t have to pay for any of the construction — meaning you could be made to pump thousands of dollars into somebody else’s property just to make it accessible for you. And while fresh construction has to be accessible to a certain extent, existing standards don’t include things like showers, so bathtubs abound even in new buildings.

So we know the whole situation is a mess, and there really aren’t too many resources to help with the actual modifications (especially if it’s not for your own property) — so it’s unfair, expensive, and just kind of a pain. With that in mind, how do we change things so this isn’t an ongoing issue? Well, like most issues of fairness around disability, it takes some advocacy to change the system. And while it might not work for you specifically anytime in the near future (if ever), it’ll work for at least some folks with disabilities, which is ultimately the goal — and the value — of advocacy.

Here in Berkeley, Calif., the city council voted on a law change that modifies the housing code so that at least 5 percent of units in new apartment construction have roll-in showers. The law is modeled after similar requirements in Portland, Ore., which also has a strong disability community and progressive values. It’s on the docket because I emailed a city councilmember, Kriss Worthington, about my experience putting $25k into my rental unit — as well as a reference to Portland (thanks to New Mobility editor Ian Ruder for the info on that). The item even made it on the “consent agenda,” which means it’s fast-tracked for approval. Boo-ya.

I’m sure it will get some resistance from landlords and developers, but within a short time they’ll realize that it’s actually good for them. When someone with a disability moves into one of those units, they’ll be more likely to stay than any other tenant would, because it suits their needs in a way that little other housing does (I’m certainly staying in my spot, even if rent goes up). And if someone moves out, the landlord can advertise it as fully accessible and the place will be taken right away. This guarantees the landlord rental income long-term, which can save them thousands. It’s also helpful to them even if people with disabilities don’t rent the unit, because those showers represent “universal access,” where nondisabled folks can use them just fine as well. Some might even prefer those showers, so it’s a win-win all-round.

Mind you, it’s not perfect. It only impacts new construction and there are no changes that affect remodels, so it only slowly increases the accessible housing stock — and the more expensive units, at that. But over time, it meets major goals, benefitting people with disabilities who are finding new homes. It increases their options, provides better layouts (because spots are designed to be accessible instead of retrofitted), and eliminates the need to spend money on costly retrofits. And there are even more options, such as developing municipal grants for retrofitting rental units, that can increase the amount and diversity of accessible rentals.

I doubt anything like this will pass nation-wide, so the change in laws will have to go city-by-city. It’s totally possible with some effort and advocacy, though. If you want to see this in your town, just email a city councilmember and share this idea. It’s bound to get some traction, and might just change another city for the better.

This is part two of Alex Ghenis’ series on housing. Here is a link to part one, which deals with modifying his apartment.