Senate Committee on Aging Pitches VITAL Act Bill Aims to Address Housing Affordability & Accessibility Issues

Handicap symbol with roof isolated on orange background. 3d illustration

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.”

Related Articles

New York State Capitol Building from East Capitol Park in Albany. New York

Gov. Hochul Announces Goals for a Replacement 421a Program

A Viable Solution?

Arrow showing oscillation, fluctuation or stagnation. Economic crisis, persistence and progress concept. Flat design. EPS 8 vector illustration, no transparency, no gradients

New York Co-op & Condo Sales in Gridlock - for Now

High Interest Rates the Main Culprit

Line graph showing home sales prices from 2014 through 2022, illustrating a huge spike in 2020, correlating with the COVID pandemic, with a sharp drop-off in early 2022

NYC Ranks 4th Lowest on 'Hottest Real Estate Markets of 2022' List

Residential Market Cooling After Pandemic Spike

Study: Income Needed to Buy Median-Price Home Has Doubled Post-Pandemic

Study: Income Needed to Buy Median-Price Home Has Doubled Post-Pandemic

...and New Home Prices Have Tripled

FEMA Disaster Assistance Proposed for Co-ops and Condos

FEMA Disaster Assistance Proposed for Co-ops and Condos

Nadler Introduces Act to Provide Federal Funds for Disaster Damage

NY-NJ Metro Area 12th Highest in the Nation for Property Taxes

NY-NJ Metro Area 12th Highest in the Nation for Property Taxes

Short Supply + High Values = Tough Going for Homebuyers