Housing (Affordable Housing · Seniors)

The Senior Accessible Housing Tax Credit Act of 2026 creates a new tax credit for individuals aged 60 or older to help cover the costs of home modifications that improve accessibility. This credit allows eligible taxpayers to claim up to $10,000 for expenses related to installing features such as wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, grab bars, and other safety improvements. The benefit is subject to income limits, where the credit amount decreases as a taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income exceeds specific thresholds ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 depending on filing status. The law also prevents taxpayers from receiving other tax benefits for the same expenses and requires the credit amount to be adjusted for inflation starting in 2028.

This bill expands Medicaid coverage to include services in assisted living facilities for individuals who currently require hospital or nursing home care, provided they meet state income and resource limits. It also modifies the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to give priority funding to projects that help reduce long-term medical costs for the elderly by offering care in non-institutional settings. Both changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, allowing states time to update their laws and plans to comply with the new requirements.

This bill directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on ways to improve housing options for elderly and disabled individuals. The study will examine potential barriers to housing access and analyze the effects of providing capital advances to two specific federal housing programs: the Section 202 program for elderly supportive housing and the Section 811 program for disabled persons. The report must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment and will focus on identifying practical solutions rather than implementing new policies.

HR 7596, the Improving Housing Access Act, requires the Comptroller General to study barriers to housing for elderly and disabled people within one year of the bill's enactment. The study will specifically examine potential improvements to two federal housing programs: supportive housing for the elderly (under Section 202 of the 1959 Housing Act) and supportive housing for people with disabilities (under Section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez Act). It focuses on identifying ways to improve access, including options for providing financial support to these programs. The bill does not create new benefits but mandates a review to inform future policy decisions.