According to a recent announcement by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, by 2060 one in four Americans will be over the age of 65, and two in five adults over 65 live with a disability. In light of those sobering statistics, Casey - along with co-sponsors Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) - has introduced a bill titled the “Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act” aimed at addressing longstanding - and worsening - housing affordability and accessibility issues for people with disabilities. Among other things, the bill would increase funding for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, and require developers to ensure that at least 40% of units in newly constructed properties are adaptable or accessible for people with disabilities.
“Anyone living with a disability deserves equal access to housing that accommodates their needs, is affordable and provides a safe environment for them to thrive,” said Duckworth. “We must do more to make sure Veterans, seniors and people with disabilities can live the full, independent lives they deserve, which is why I’m proud to help Senator Casey introduce this bill to help make that a reality.”
Leave a Comment