As Nursing Homes Remain Impacted By COVID-19, Delgado Introduces Age-In-Place, Home Modification Tax Credit

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19), Charlie Crist (FL-13), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) announced introduction of the Senior Accessible Housing Act. This legislation would allow seniors to age in place by providing a tax credit to cover 100% of the costs of any modifications older Americans make to their homes – such as grab bars, wheelchair ramps, walk-in tubs, and more – to allow for safe, independent living.

Specifically, the Senior Accessible Housing Act would allow seniors, especially those of lower-income, to take advantage of a lifetime $30,000 refundable tax credit to make necessary home improvements, giving them the option to age in place at home. The legislation comes as nursing homes across New York continue to struggle with outbreaks of COVID-19 among staff and residents, leading to limits or restrictions on family visits. Last week, Rep. Delgado announced the bipartisan Keeping Seniors Safe from COVID-19 Through Home Design Act which directs a study on how to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

“Many seniors would prefer to live independently in the comfort of their own homes but there are certain practical factors that often prevent families from accessing this option. I am proud to join in introducing the Senior Accessible Housing Act to create a tax credit that will enable upstate New York seniors to make age-related modifications to their homes and extend their ability to age in place, such as grab bars and wheelchair ramps. These measures will help keep more seniors safe and comfortable at home, which is increasingly important as folks endure isolation from their families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Antonio Delgado.

“It’s no secret that this virus is hitting vulnerable, high-risk communities the hardest. As seniors across America and in Pinellas look to the future, too many cannot afford to make age-related home modifications that keep them safe, comfortable, and independent,” said Rep. Crist. “Too often, lower-income seniors cannot afford the dream of spending their sunset years in the safety, comfort, and familiarity of their home, as steps and bathtubs become an increasing challenge. That’s why I’m once again introducing the Senior Accessible Housing Act because everyone deserves to be safe at home.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in Congress in introducing the Senior Accessible Housing Act, legislation that would provide tax credits for senior citizens allowing them to remain comfortably and independently in their own homes and in familiar neighborhoods,” said Rep. Lawrence. “Given the costs associated with home modifications for aging seniors, this legislation would ease the financial challenges for older adults who seek to make their homes safer and more functional as they continue to age in place.”

The Senior Accessible Housing Act empowers seniors to make the decision about where they would like to live out their older years by providing a lifetime $30,000 tax credit to cover the costs associated with aging-in-place modifications to their homes. The tax credit would be refundable and transferable to allow those on a fixed budget to take advantage of the credit immediately. Under the legislation, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would work with senior groups to publish a list of approved home modifications. It would also require builder certification in modification, building codes, construction standards, and appropriateness of modifications. The credit would phase out for seniors with $100,000 (single) or $150,000 (married or joint filing separately) in annual income.