Legislation on mobility introduced on 29th Anniversary of ADA signing
LANSING — Marking the 29th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and Rep. Kyra Harris Bolden (D-Southfield) introduced legislation today to provide an income tax credit to those who purchase a new residence or retrofit an existing residence to meet accessibility standards needed for those with physical limitations.
“Many existing homes in communities across the state were not built to accommodate those with physical limitations or seniors wishing age in place,” Sen. Moss said. “Costly mobility improvements are often the only way Michigan residents can comfortably stay in their own home. These bills will help lift the financial burden from those seeking to live an independent, accessible life.”
Senate Bills 421-422 and House Bills 4813-4814 would provide financial relief to Michigan residents who upgrade their primary home to maintain their independence by providing a tax credit up to 50% of the cost to retrofit an existing residence, or up to 4% of the total purchase price of a new, qualified principal residence.
The tax credit must be certified by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority for that tax year and would be capped at $5,000.
Under the bill, accessibility is defined as a resident with a physician-approved physical limitation of the ability to enter, exit and use a property without assistance. The residence would also need to include:
- At least one zero-step entrance;
- At least one full or half bathroom on the main floor; and,
- All doorways on the main floor must have a minimum of 32 inches of clear passage space.
According to HomeAdvisor.com, the national average for remodeling a home for someone with a disability is $4,641, with a high-end cost of $20,000. Currently, there are few financial resources available to offset the costs of remodeling or buying a home that would accommodate someone with a physical disability or with physical limitations.
“The bills will help protect seniors and those with physical disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in our communities,” Rep. Bolden said. “There is a growing and vibrant population of seniors in my district, many on a fixed income, and they have been asking for reasonable financial relief. This legislation is really important to them and I think our colleagues need to take it very seriously.”
Similar bills have been introduced in the past and have passed the Senate with bipartisan support.
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