AWARE Manual for Sustainable Accessible Living

2011 NACo Achievement Award Winner

Franklin County, Ohio, OH

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

The AWARE Manual for Sustainable Accessible Living is a performance standard for all publicly funded residential projects located in Franklin County Ohio, to ensure that such projects adhere to Accessibility, Water Conservation, Air Quality, Resource Conscious, Energy-efficient standards. The AWARE Manual serves as a detailed guide for developers and builder to achieve these values in planning and executing new construction and redevelopment of housing projects. The AWARE Manual was created in 2009, and its standards are required to be met by all publicly funded housing projects in Franklin County. These standards include installation of energy-efficient appliances, sealing the home to achieve maximum energy efficiency, using recycled and locally sourced building materials, including zero-stop entries into homes, and locating home features such as countertops and electrical outlets within reach for a variety of physical abilities. These required standards are designed to bring quality housing to Franklin County that is healthy, accessible, and environmentally friendly, to provide truly affordable housing opportunities for Franklin County residents, and to increase the supply of high-quality, desirable housing to stabilize otherwise stagnant neighborhoods.