WCCRC Attends Architecture Student’s Manufactured Home Design Showcase

WCCRC staff have been part of a mentorship team for University at Buffalo Architecture students in a project to design Manufactured Homes for seniors and disabled persons to tackle one of the most overlooked design challenges in the state: How do we create dignified, safe, climate-ready, and universally designed homes for older adults living in manufactured housing? This is a critical issue because many manufactured homes are aging, unsafe, energy inefficient, and not accessible. Through a Community Change Grant from AARP,  the Rural Housing Coalition partnered with UB to rethink the future of low-cost housing for rural seniors—and working directly with manufacturers and advocacy organizations to help make those ideas happen. The culmination of this project was a presentation by the four groups of UB students of their designs at SUNY Albany’s ETEC building. In attendance were many representatives from state housing organizations such as NYS Homes & Community Renewal, HOME, and CDBG; staff from other Rural Preservation Companies like WCCRC; as well as leaders in the architectural field. WCCRC was amazed by the thoughtful and creative design ideas and proud to be part of this project encouraging the innovations of tomorrow.