The Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act was introduced by Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on June 8. The bill is a companion to the Senate version of the VITAL Act legislation introduced in April. LeadingAge supports the bills. The House bill, HR 3963, would increase funding for the LIHTC, and through adding incentives, increase the number of accessible homes built with the LIHTC so that more people can live in the communities they choose.

The bill would also require, over three years, that states administering LIHTC construct at least 20% of their LIHTC units as accessible or adaptable and walkable/rollable.

“Less than 6% of housing is designed to be accessible, according to a 2011 federal study. We can and must change that! The need for accessible housing is already significant, and it will continue to grow as America’s senior population grows. This bill would make a big difference, and I want to thank Senator Casey for taking the lead on it in the Senate,” Representative Evans said in a statement.