Safety. Security. Longevity.
Home Modification for Accessibility Act of 2022
Age Safe America, LLC is proud to be a member of the HomesRenewed Coalition Advisory Council and support the vital efforts to bring financial incentives to homeowners through the new bill recently introduced in Congress, entitled “The Home Modification for Accessibility Act” (H.R. 7676). This legislation, introduced by Representatives Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), provides tax incentives to homeowners who proactively update their homes for aging in place.
Under this legislation, homeowners will be able to take proactive measures to modify and update their homes, allowing them to safely and comfortably age in place, and creating new job opportunities for skilled laborers and contractors. The bill would allow adults aging in place to offset the costs associated with making modifications to their homes through early retirement withdrawals and a lifetime tax deduction of up to $30,000.
Louis Tenenbaum, founder of HomesRenewed Coalition, states that “this bold action empowers homeowners to invest in home safety, security and accessibility upgrades to their primary residence without tax or penalty. This means reduced reliance on family caregivers, fewer falls and associated disruptions, turmoil, torment and costs.” The HomesRenewed Coalition was founded to engage the support of stakeholders across industries like home modifications, homecare, and technology to pass legislation and build an aging-in-place industry. Training and collaboration with other industry organizations and providers in home care, mobility equipment, property management, builders and remodelers, is the cornerstone of the programs by Age Safe® America. The HomesRenewed Coalition is bringing stakeholders, like Age Safe® America, across industry sectors together to support the fundamental desire of homeowners to age in place and provide new tools and means to do so.
Support is widespread and comes from entities such as VGM Live at Home, Lowes Livable Home, Lifeways Mobility, Age Safe America, NSM, Handyman Solutions, Home Safety Services, TruBlue Total House Care and Right at Home to name a few, as well as aging issues advocates and consumers. Diverse sectors of the longevity economy have the common goal of supporting the desire to age in place in the home setting of personal choice. Industry partners are working together to support the efforts of the Coalition to educate and inform their constituencies, suppliers and customers about the collaborative benefits of this important legislation. Home care industry leaders and home modification stakeholders are touting the bill for the acknowledgement of the growing needs to enhance the ability of each industry to adequately support the aging population, for whom at home services are becoming more vital and, in some cases, less accessible.
The economics of aging-in-place modifications are compelling. Moving to a typical assisted-living facility can cost from $60-$100,000 annually. The cost to widen a residential home bathroom door, put in safety bars, and add a roll-in shower would typically cost about $8,000 to $10,000.
Taking action to support this bill and encourage more representatives to co-sponsor and getting attention in the US Senate is vital. You can find your congress people at this link. Here is some information that can be included in the letters, provided by HomesRenewed Coalition: the letter to congress is here. More information about the coalition and how to support their mission is available at homesrenewed.org. JOIN the HomesRenewed Coalition!
As providers of the Senior Home Safety Specialist® certification training, Age Safe® America is at the forefront for professionals working with seniors and families to identify the challenges and opportunities in current home environments. Developing customized solutions and recommendations permit consumers to make educated and proactive decisions for the full range of products and services. Incorporating universal design concepts with the aging in place solutions, these professionals offer the framework and guidance.
For more detailed information about the legislation and how to support it, please use the following links: Link to the bill, Link to Crist/Suozzi H.R. 7676 Press Release, Link to HomesRenewed Coalition’s Issue White Paper, Link to HomesRenewed Coalition’s Economic Analysis White Paper, and Dear Colleague letter from Crist’s staff.