The vision of the leadership of the Swedish City of Borås is to work for a city where no one is left out and where everybody has equal rights and opportunities to participate in community life. In making this bold vision a reality, accessible housing plays a crucial role. To enable its older citizens and those with disabilities to have an independent life, the city of Borås is building and renovating homes that meet diverse physical needs and remove barriers to independence. It also partners with property owners to offer properly adapted flats, writes Herawati Nowak, the city’s Disability Consultant.

By Herawati Nowak

In Borås, accessibility is a shared political priority. Regardless of party affiliation, the city’s leadership has consistently committed the resources needed to build an organisation that works both strategically and operationally to promote inclusion.

As our lead city councillor, Ylva Lengberg, says: 'In the City of Borås, it goes without saying that accessibility and inclusion should be the cornerstones of everything we do. All residents, regardless of their ability, should have equal rights and opportunities to participate in community life. There is a broad political consensus on working for a city where no one is left out; and by listening to the experiences and needs of people with disabilities, we can create a more accessible and inclusive Borås together'.

Accessible housing plays a crucial role in realising this vision. Housing is a basic right, and this right must extend fully to people with disabilities. When homes are designed to meet diverse physical needs, they remove barriers that limit participation in everyday life. Moreover, as people grow older and their mobility changes, accessible housing becomes essential for maintaining independence, safety and dignity. Ensuring that residents can continue living in their own homes strengthens well-being, reduces reliance on care services, and supports a more inclusive society as a whole.

To uphold this commitment, Borås uses the West Region Accessibility Guideline as its official accessibility standard. This guideline goes beyond the legal requirements and serves as the basis for designing and constructing group homes for older adults and people with disabilities. All facilities and premises are built to meet these high standards. However, accessibility extends beyond municipal buildings. We work actively to raise awareness and strengthen knowledge throughout the community, maintaining close dialogue with property owners and local businesses.

Design for different degrees of accessibility

Because privately owned properties fall outside the city’s direct mandate, collaboration is essential. One of our most successful collaborative efforts is Bokvämt, a concept designed to increase the availability of accessible housing. Through Bokvämt, the city partners with property owners to offer properly adapted flats that enable older adults and people with disabilities to continue living independently.

Bokvämt includes a formal certification system that evaluates and approves buildings based on detailed accessibility criteria. Property owners can request an inventory, an optional pre-inspection and a final certification carried out by the City of Borås. Certified properties receive a Bokvämt certificate and are allowed to display the Bokvämt sign at the entrance – clearly signalling that the building meets high accessibility standards.

There are three certification levels in the Bokvämt concept, each reflecting different degrees of accessibility. The 5-star certification, for instance, means that there are no thresholds inside, kitchens and bathrooms have enough space for a wheelchair, the bathroom shower has support handles, the laundry room and storage can be reached by wheelchair, and there is a disabled parking space close to the entrance. The different levels also serve as a practical guide for property owners, showing that they can improve accessibility through relatively simple measures – such as installing door openers or adding sturdy handrails – enabling people to stay in their homes longer and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Certification is valid for five years, ensuring that housing continues to align with current standards. The criteria cover outdoor areas, entrances, stairwells, flats and shared spaces, in keeping with principles of universal design such as step-free access, good lighting, generous circulation space and safe, accessible bathrooms.

Through initiatives like Bokvämt, building accessible group homes for the elderly and people with disabilities, and through the strong political unity behind these efforts, cities can build a community where more people can find suitable housing, live independently and participate fully in society.

Herawati Nowak is Disability Consultant for Borås Stad (the City of Borås), a Swedish municipality which takes an active, long-term approach to disability housing by building and maintaining supported group homes and supported living units designed for full accessibility and daily support. The city actively collaborates with disability organisations via three disability councils, and counts about 24 accessibility representatives (ombud) across administrations.