Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1) By 2060, 1 in every 4 Americans will be over age 65, and currently, 2 in 5 adults over age 65 have a disability. As people age, they need structurally safe and functional housing that accommodates people with disabilities. (2) Approximately 26 percent of people in the United States have a disability, yet less than 6 percent of the national housing supply is designed to be even rudimentarily accessible. (3) An accessible home offers specific features or technologies such as lowered kitchen counters and sinks, widened doorways, and zero-step showers. (4) A lack of affordable and accessible housing can relegate people with disabilities to living in institutional settings when they would prefer to live in a community setting. (5) Older adults and people with disabilities prefer to remain in their homes for as long as possible. More than 89 percent of adults aged 65 and over hope to stay in their homes as they age. (6) Older adults and people with disabilities must be able to run errands, work, visit family and friends, and keep doctor appointments, while not always being able to drive. Accessible and affordable public transit options and walkable and roll-able neighborhoods allow older adults and people with disabilities to remain independent and active in their communities. (7) Many older adults and people with disabilities are experiencing an affordability crisis. More than 7,000,000 older adults and people with disabilities receive Federal monthly Supplemental Security Income and are priced out of every rental housing market in the United States.