Community Housing Partners

CHP Brings Accessible Living to Elderly Couple in Virginia's Albemarle County

Rose Byrne and her soul mate, Norman Ourada -- two of an estimated 1,491,965 Virginians with disabilities -- were struggling with mounting medical bills and the difficulties of living in traditional housing when the design and construction teams at (CHP) were asked to help.

The call for assistance had come from Bill Fuller, senior community housing officer with the Virginia Housing Development Authority’s (VHDA) REACH (Resources Enabling Affordable Community Housing) Virginia program, which helps address the need for affordable, accessible housing options that promote independence and dignity for people with disabilities.

“Rose had very demanding medical needs and Norman, her soul mate and caretaker was himself disabled. They wanted to build a new home that would meet their physical needs, but their money and borrowing power were dwindling. We knew something had to be done to provide them with functional and affordable housing before they were separated and/or institutionalized. I contacted CHP because they are trustworthy, competent and share the same passion and commitment to service,” explained Fuller. “The physical requirements of the elderly couple and challenges presented by the geography of the proposed site made this a difficult proposition, but I knew through experience that if any company could successfully undertake this challengeand bring it to a successful conclusion it would be CHP.”