Coalition for Elevator Reform

Elevators for All

As we bring gentle density to new neighborhoods around the United States, accessibility must come with it. Right now, our building codes and market conditions make elevators nearly impossible to include in smaller apartment buildings.Our coalition is committed to making compact, affordable elevators abundant in small multi-family buildings, opening more homes to seniors, families, and people of all abilities.

Access, Safety, Dignity

Elevators aren’t just a convenience; they are a lifeline for people living in multi-story housing. Yet it costs five times as much to build an elevator in the United States compared to Europe. People are beginning to notice something is broken in our approach to elevators:

Policy Wishlist

The good news is elevator policy can happen at many levels: local or state; legislative or regulatory. Here are some places to start:

  • Direct agencies to study the issue of elevator costs and come up with recommendations to lower costs

  • Eliminate stretcher car requirements in buildings small enough to be at risk of having no elevators at all

  • Require adoption of latest elevator and safety code without modifications

  • Eliminate elevator hoistway opening protections in low-risk buildings

  • Create a path to adopt global elevator standards, to improve market competitiveness

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