Legislation introduced June 8 by Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Danny Davis (D-IL), and Gregory Murphy (R-NC) would increase federal low income housing tax credit allocations to states for the purpose of providing a 50% basis boost for “healthcare-oriented housing.”

Low income housing tax credit housing that meets at least three of the following five attributes would qualify as “health-oriented housing” and be eligible for the 50% basis boost:

1. Social Determinants of Health Screenings. The developer partners with a hospital, health center, or other healthcare institution to conduct social determinants of health screenings on the building premises for each new resident upon move-in and annually thereafter, unless the resident elects not to have such a screening.
2. Healthcare Onsite. The building contains sufficient physical space and proper equipment for physicians or other appropriate licensed healthcare providers to hold regular health screenings on-site for residents and community members.
3. Telehealth Component. The building contains broadband infrastructure and physical hardware sufficient to ensure that video conferencing capabilities for telehealth interactions will be available to residents and the developer has partnered with healthcare providers to participate in the provision of telehealth services and outreach.
4. Classroom and Kitchen. The building has classroom space to conduct community health and nutrition workshops and a demonstration kitchen to facilitate healthy cooking demonstrations for residents and the community and the developer has partnered with a hospital, health center, or other healthcare institution to provide such workshops and demonstrations.
5. Healthcare Service Coordination. A medical assistant or trained healthcare worker who connects residents to both healthcare and community services is located in the building on at least a part-time basis.

The bill would also increase state housing credit allocations by $1 per capita. The provisions in this bill would be temporary, expiring after calendar year 2025.

LeadingAge supports the bill and looks forward to working with its cosponsors toward refinement and enactment.