Fairfax Station-Clifton Connection, November 2-8, 2006
CHOICE Accessible Design Award

The Coalition for Housing Opportunities In the Community for Everyone (CHOICE) recently recognized Wesley Housing Development Corporation with its first annual Accessible Design Award.

CHOICE, which was formed in 2002, works to increase the availability of affordable, accessible, housing in Northern Virginia by holding workshops for developers about funding sources, educating apartment owners about accessibility requirements, and advertising accessible units on its website.

Wesley Housing received the award for its design of Coppermine I, which involved a group of individuals with disabilities in the design from the outset. As a result, according to CHOICE, Wesley Housing constructed a multifamily residential project that surpasses all legal accessibility requirements.

The Herndon development features 22 one- and two-bedroom apartments with roll-in showers, lower countertops and cabinets, widened doors and levered door handles. The main entrance is at a grade and has electric doors. Common space, such as the laundry room, computer lab, library, mailboxes, and activity area are also accessible.

At an awards breakfast, last week Al Smuzynski, President and CEO of Wesley Housing, and Mozelle Lee, Project Manager for Coppermine I, accepted the CHOICE Accessible Design Award.