Resolve, Directing the Maine State Housing Authority To Study and Report on the Need for Modifications To Make Homes Accessible for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities

Sec. 1. Maine State Housing Authority to study and report on need for accessible housing. Resolved: That the Maine State Housing Authority shall work together with local housing authorities and interested groups to conduct a study of the need, with reference to geographical areas of the State, for home modifications to provide accessibility for low-income older or disabled residents of the State in order to permit those persons to remain in their homes and avoid institutionalization. The study must evaluate the effectiveness of the income tax credit for certain home modifications. The study must identify additional programs and funding and taxpayer assistance necessary to meet the home modification needs of older and disabled individuals. The housing authority shall report its findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing and the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation by January 5, 2020. The joint standing committees may each report out a bill based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.