Description

Welcome to Accessible Housing Matters!

In today’s episode, I welcome Owen Cooper and Melissa Crisp-Cooper

Melissa and Owen are happily married.  Melissa is a writer and health care advocate for people with disabilities.  Owen is a software engineer and proud UC Berkeley alumni.  They both have cerebral palsy.  They are active in the community and love going on travel adventures.  They live with two feisty black cats – Coffee and Chai.  In 2020, they bought a single-story house in Oakland.

Listen to find out more about:

[00:01 - 01:12] Opening Segment

• I welcome Owen Cooper and Melissa Crisp-Cooper to the Show
• • Bio

[01:13 - 25:05] Adventures in Home Hunting, Part 3

• Owen gives us a brief overview of their house
• The accessibility needs Owen and Melissa had as they looked for the perfect home 
• The stronger driving force that made Owen and Melissa find their new house
• A lack of accessible housing in the market
• A Year of House Hunting
• “You wanted to be able to get your wheelchair through the front door. Everything else we could kind of live with.”
• Offer Accepted!
• Modifying their new home
• • Interior and exterior modifications
  • Ramps Take a Lot of Space
• Of Driveways and Petitioning for a Blue Spot
• Owen’s One Wish for Planning Perspective
• Owen talks about acquiring a contractor
• Melissa wants a front door
• Using smart technology in their homes
• Problems with financial resources? 
• Definitely a Process: Owen and Melissa share the biggest advice
• Property Tax Transfer

[25:06 - 26:23] Closing Segment

• Final word

Tweetable Quote/s:

“It was hard at certain times to think that you know, you weren't seeing anything that were realistic possibilities.” - Owen Cooper 

“It might take a while when you may have to jump through a lot of hoops. But it'll be worth it in the end.” - Owen Cooper 

“You don't have to do everything at once. You'll be there for a while so you can space things out.” - Melissa Crisp-Cooper

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Accessible Housing Matters is dedicated to raising awareness about important issues around accessibility and housing, and getting conversations going. I'd love to learn more about what's on your mind, and get your feedback about the show. Contact me directly at stephen@accessiblehousingmatters.com to share your thoughts or arrange a call.