The following alert is from New York Association on Independent Living:
The Governor just received our home accessibility tax credit bill to sign and we just finished our statewide accessible housing survey. The lack of options to get help with home modifications is not surprising to any of us, but we need your help to change things! Please call the Governor today. We've included the phone number and details below.
The Visitability Tax Credit bill, A.3409/S.7365 would provide homeowners with a tax credit of up to $2,750 to renovate their home to make it more accessible, or to go toward the cost of developing a universally visitable home.
What You Can Do:
Help ensure Governor Hochul understands the need for the State to off-set the costs of making one’s home accessible by calling her today at #518-474-8390. Press 3 and then press 2 to speak with a person.
"Hello, I'm calling to urge Governor Hochul to sign the Visitability Tax Credit bill, A.3409 / S.7365..."
You can also communicate to her how important accessible housing is in keeping people in their homes and out of nursing homes. You can explain how expensive it is to make modifications and how a tax credit, such as the one created by A.3409/S.7365 would help make it more affordable.
Background:
The disability community has long advocated for New York to increase the accessible housing stock across the State by incentivizing the use of “visitability” design standards. This includes basic accessible features, including:
• One no-step entrance
• An accessible path to the door
• hallways and doorways wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair
• An accessible bathroom on the first floor
Due to the high cost of home modifications, many people cannot afford to make changes to their homes to make them more accessible, or to move to a more accessible home. Most prefer to remain at home rather than move to nursing facilities or different, more accessible housing as their needs change. However, many are forced out because their homes are no longer safe or practical for them to live in. This tax credit will help to ensure that people with disabilities and older New Yorkers are able to afford these modifications and remain in their homes.
If you are interested in disability advocacy issues like this one, contact Colleen Downs, Systems Advocate at:
518-563-9058 Ext. 110
The Mission of the North Country Center for Independence is to help people with disabilities to live more independent and productive lives, and promote better policies and community understanding of disability issues. NCCI serves people with disabilities, families, and the community on issues related to physical and mental disabilities. NCCI is led and staffed mostly by people with disabilities. It is one of the 41 Independent Living Centers in New York State. There are also hundreds of similar centers throughout the United States. NCCI serves Clinton and Essex Counties, New York.