By Sarah Caron, Director, Renovation Services, CHBA
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) is proud to announce the launch of a new award category in its prestigious National Awards for Housing Excellence: The Adaptiv Home Award. This new category recognizes outstanding residential projects that prioritize accessibility, adaptability and aging-in-place designs that empower individuals of all abilities to live safely, independently and comfortably in their homes for as long as possible. The new Adaptiv Home Award reflects CHBA’s commitment to celebrating innovation and leadership in creating homes that are not only beautiful, but also barrier-free and future-proof.
As Canada’s population ages, the need for homes that support aging-in-place, mobility, and diverse needs has never been greater. Nearly 22 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and older identify as having a disability. According to Statistics Canada, seniors (aged 65+) could be nearly a quarter of the population by 2030. The majority of seniors are homeowners who want to live in their homes for the rest of their lives. Yet, the reality is that nearly all of these homes will require some sort of modifications to meet the unique needs of the occupants as they age.
The Adaptiv Home Award highlights projects that integrate accessible design principles to remove barriers and enhance quality of life. These projects may incorporate features such as wider doorways, accessible kitchens and bathrooms, strategic lighting and colour contrast for visibility, or smart home technologies for enhanced control and safety. These modifications not only improve functionality but also allow individuals to remain in their homes longer.
How to enter
The Adaptiv Home Award is open exclusively to builder and renovator members that are Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialists. These are CHBA members who have successfully completed the Adaptiv Home Renovation Course. Other CHBA members who participated in the project (such as designers, energy advisors and suppliers) can also be acknowledged as contributors.
The award will recognize new custom homes or residential renovations that prioritize adaptiv home design fundamentals and demonstrate excellence in accessibility and adaptability for changing needs by removing the barriers faced by a homeowner with disabilities and/or homeowners wishing to stay in their home longer.
Projects should exemplify adaptiv home design that is tailored for a specific client and addresses their challenges and needs while also demonstrating creative use of space, functionality and integration within the home, and having an appeal design, while addressing any challenges.
Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialists are invited to submit their projects through the CHBA National Awards entry platform once it opens in mid-October. Submissions should include a detailed project description, high-quality images and a summary of design features and how they support accessibility and adaptability. Projects
must have been completed and ready for occupancy between April 1, 2024 and the awards entry period deadline of Dec. 4, 2025.
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of experts in accessible design, aging-in-place and residential construction. Category criteria, plus key dates for submission, judging and the awards ceremony can be found on the CHBA website at chba.ca/housingawards.
CHBA Adaptiv Home Renovation Course
To support professionals in this growing field, CHBA developed the Adaptiv Home Renovation Course. This comprehensive training program was designed for renovators, designers and builders that want to specialize in aging-in-place and accessible renovations. The course and accompanying manual provide participants with:
• Up-to-date information on Canadian building codes and standards for accessibility
• Design strategies for safety, comfort and occupant health
• Technical knowledge on ramps, curbless showers, zero-step thresholds and home automation solutions
• Training in client communication, empathy, privacy and legal considerations
Upon completion, participants earn the Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialist designation, are listed in CHBA’s national directory and gain access to promotional resources to grow their business, including being eligible to enter the Adaptiv Home Award category.
To learn more or to register for the next course, visit chba.ca/adaptiv-home-course.
