2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: Statewide Accessibility Standards Legislation

Idaho Implements a Standardized Statewide Accessibility Standards Legislation

Boise. Sponsored by Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo, this Best Practice organized an unprecedented grassroots coalition to undertake the task of developing consistent statewide accessibility standards for buildings covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act. Coalition members included disability advocates, architects, developers, builders, business owners, building officials, realtors, and representatives from the Association of Idaho Cities, the Association of Idaho Counties, the state legislature and the governor's office. The work of the coalition and its final outcome – a statewide building code with comprehensive accessibility components – will ensure that architects, developers, builders and owners have an approval and permit process that would provide protection from accessibility-related fines and litigation. Moreover, the code will have a significant impact on Idaho residents with disabilities and their access to commercial structures and residential opportunities. This change will promote equality at the most basic level – the ability to access businesses for the purposes of working, shopping, recreating and socializing, and to have accessible housing, regardless of disability.

Contact: Kelly Buckland, Phone: (208) 334-3800
Tracking Number: 347
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Nez Perce Young Horseman's Club: Mounted Scholars Program

Nez Perce Young Horseman's Club Helps Students with Riding as well as Academics

Lapwai. "What do you get when you cross horses, computers, and a bunch of kids?"—The Nez Perce Young Horseman's Club. The members of the club come from two predominantly Native American schools on the Nez Perce Reservation. Some members have a history of low grades and poor attendance; the goal of the program is to counter that trend. During the year, the students are tutored in math and English. Math problems are centered on their interest in horses; for example they calculate the time and distance of a trail ride-and write daily entries in their required journals. The young horsemen also spend a week at the University of Idaho shadowing professors and learning about college. The program culminates each summer with a one-week encampment at the meadows, where the youth live in traditional Nez Perce housing, elders tell stories of the old days, and students ride horses on trails once traveled by their great-great-grandfathers. The program, open to students ages 8-14, was started by the Chief Joseph Foundation-a non-profit organization. Although students are tutored in academic and equine skills, the program's most important role is to help preserve Nez Perce culture.

Contact: Samuel Penney, Phone: (208) 843-3253
Tracking Number: 2303
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Contracting to Further Accessibility Design Compliance

Accessible Design Expert Ensures Fair Housing Compliance

Idaho (Statewide). Through two innovative contracts with William Worn Architects PC, the Northwest/Alaska Area FHEO Hub has helped the State of Idaho housing industry improve compliance with Fair Housing Act Accessibility Design requirements. The Hub provided the assistance through two contracts for services of an expert on accessible design and adaptability. Under the first contract, the expert participated with HUD staff in conciliation negotiations on early attempts at informal resolution of design and construction complaints. Under the second contract, the expert provided advice on project design to owners and architects against whom a complaint had not been filed. As part of the process, the consultant provided guidance on the correction of potential violations and estimated the costs of retrofitting the properties to bring them into compliance. All changes resulted in a better relationship between HUD and owners/architects who had been reluctant to comply with fair housing requirements.

Contact: William Worn, Phone: (312) 642-5587
Tracking Number: 365
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)

Best Practice: Homeward Bound by Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.

Boise’s Homeless Families Become Self-Sufficient through Homeward Bound

Boise. Homeward Bound, originally funded by the city of Boise, the Northwest Area Foundation and other local corporations, is a model comprehensive two-year transitional housing program for homeless families with children. Homeward Bound client families are offered a full range of social services including career development, education, case management and counseling, budgeting and credit sessions, nutrition, home maintenance, and parenting workshops. The program uses scattered-site housing, which removes the stigma of living in a shelter and allows families to become part of a neighborhood and the community. Since its creation in 1987, Homeward Bound has served hundreds of families. Eighty-two percent of the families either have jobs or are in school and move into permanent housing when leaving the program. Most families leaving Homeward Bound are no longer receiving health and welfare benefits. Some families even achieve homeownership during their time in Homeward Bound.

Contact: Susan Rainey, Phone: (208) 343-4065
Tracking Number: 878
Winning Category: Geographical

Content Archived: April 20, 2011