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SAFERhome Program Gaining Popularity

Apr 12, 2018 | 6:48 AM

A non profit group says SAFERhomes seem to be catching on in Vernon.

Patrick Simpson from the SAFERhome Standards Society told city council, a third certified home is being built in Vernon, with two more on the way.

“I’m hopefully going to be back here shortly to make more announcements about more SAFERhomes coming to the community. We found the program works here and that people are getting it.”

The program uses 15 construction standards that allow occupants to age in place.

Simpson says the measures add 600 dollars to the cost of a new home.

“So when you look at the cost of building a house an extra 600 dollars gets you a universal house. It takes a house and turns it into a home. It’s such a minimum cost and a maximum return for the consumer.”

Simpson says Everton Ridge Homes is building three certified SAFERhomes in Turtle Mountain, including a show home which should open in May.