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Updates & tips
Could You Use $5,000?
The deadline to apply for the Livable Homes Tax Credit is February 28. If you purchased a new home or remodeled an existing home in 2015 and the new home or the remodeling involved accessibility features you could be eligible for a tax credit of up to $5,000 on your Virginia income taxes. If you qualify for the credit, don’t miss the deadline of February 28. If you purchased a new home in 2015 (either newly built or converted from a non residential use) and it meets the three features of Universal Visitability or incorporates three accessibility features and meets the requirements of an existing standard, you are eligible to take the $5,000 credit. The three features of Universal Visitability are 1) at least one zero step entry into the house, 2) an accessible bathroom on the same level as the zero step entry, and 3) doorways with at least 32" clear width and hallways and passageways with at least 36" clear width leading from the zero step entry to the bathroom and an eating area. If all of these three features are present, there are no further requirements. If you do not have all three of these, the home must incorporate three accessibility features and meet the requirements of an existing standard. Some examples of accessibility features are: Accessible route such as a ramp Zero step entry Lifts Elevators Zero step entrance 32" clear width doorways 36" clear width hallways Accessible switches, outlets, and controls Accessible bathrooms Accessible and usable kitchen facilities Grab bars Lever handles on doors and fixtures Sensory modifications The requirement that you meet an existing standard is a little murkier because there are several different standards that exist that could be referenced. I have found that the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), while not technically applicable to single family homes, will cover you if you are in compliance. If you have specific questions, get in touch with me and I’ll do my best to answer them for you. If you retrofitted or remodeled an existing home, the project must include at least one accessibility feature and meet the requirements of an existing standard. If sensory modifications have been provided, they must be structurally integrated into the home. Sensory modifications are anything that would assist sensory disabled people such as a doorbell that activated a strobe light for a person with hearing loss. Any device must be permanently attached to the home to qualify. The credit for retrofitting an existing home is also $5,000 but is limited to 50% of the cost of the project actually incurred by the taxpayer. Please note that any costs paid through Granting Freedom, the VA, VHDA, Department of Rehabilitative Services, or any other organization would not be eligible for the credit. For either new or existing homes, if the credit exceeds your tax liability, you may carry the credit forward for up to seven years, and if the amount of eligible credits exceeds one million dollars, each approved taxpayer will receive a pro rated amount of credit. Once you have submitted your application you will receive a tax credit certificate from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development by April 1. I hope this information is helpful. If you have questions please call me at (540) 384-2064 or email me at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com. You can download a copy of the guidelines and application atwww.dhcd.virginia.gov/LHTC.
Avoiding Falls
Each year in America one in three adults over the age of sixty five falls. That is a staggering statistic! Granted, many of these falls don’t result in permanent injury, but many of them do. Falls are the leading cause of injury death, traumatic brain injury, and fractures in older adults. In many cases, a fall is the event that leads to an older person losing the ability to live independently. Here at Housing Matters, I am a strong proponent of helping people live independently in their homes as long as possible. Often when someone falls, their fear of falling again will prevent them from doing the things they enjoy, can reduce their flexibility and mobility, and can actually lead to another fall! What kinds of things can we do to prevent falls? The first thing I recommend is to take a walk through your home. If you can get a family member or caregiver to go with you, it will help by giving you another set of eyes. They may notice things that you might not recognize as being a potential fall hazard. Look for anything that might contribute to a fall. Are there loose throw rugs anywhere? Are there trailing extensions cords in areas where you walk? Does the furniture placement leave plenty of room to get around? Are there secure handrails on both sides of stairs and walkways? Is the lighting bright, yet glare free? Are there grab bars, particularly in the bathroom? After you go through the house looking for problems, let’s put our heads together and come up with some solutions. Call Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. at (540) 384-2064 and we would be glad to provide common sense solutions for safety and fall prevention. If there are loose throw rugs, trailing extension cords, or the furniture placement creates narrow, unsafe walkways, it is a simple matter to clean up or rearrange. You might be surprised, however, to see how simple and effective making some of the other changes can be. Stairs are an area where falls often occur. I strongly recommend sturdy handrails on both sides of the stairs, non slip strips on the treads, contrasting colors on the treads and risers, and bright, glare free lighting with switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. Of course, you can also install a stair lift. Handrails can also be installed down hallways or anywhere in the house. If you have concerns about your balance, continuous handrails throughout the house can provide a constant handhold. Grab bars serve the same function and are available in an almost endless assortment of sizes, types, materials, colors, and textures. I often hear people say they don’t need grab bars “yet”. The time to install handrails and grab bars is precisely before you need them. If the grab bars are installed, you get in the habit of reaching for them and instinctively reach for them if you start to fall. If you wait until you are “ready” for them, those habits will not be formed. You may not instinctively reach for the grab bar if it hasn’t been installed very long. The bottom line is, be proactive. Take the time now to get your home modification projects done so that you may enjoy a long and safe life in your own home. How can I help you with these or any other home modification projects? Please give me a call at (540) 384-2064 or email me at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com. It would be my pleasure to help you make your home a “Home for a Lifetime”. Thank you for reading Housing Matters.
Common Sense Solutions for Life
Over the last few years as I have worked to help people remain in their homes for the course of their lives, there has been a lot of confusion about exactly what products and services I offer. First and foremost, I am a contractor. I have been building and remodeling since 1986. The type of building and remodeling that I have been focusing on for the last five years or so has been creating living spaces that work for all people through all stages of life. Variations of this type of design have been called by various names including universal design, accessible design, adaptable design, easy living design, multi generational design, and aging in place. The trouble with all of these terms is that most people don’t know what you are talking about when you use them. They tend to make the whole subject appear to be some complicated, esoteric theory that you need an advanced degree to understand. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that the bulk of the modifications I make to people’s homes as well as the features I incorporate into new homes are simply common sense solutions for life. If I use a 3’ wide door instead of a 2’ wide door into a bathroom, that just makes sense. If I install an electrical outlet at 2’ off the floor instead of near the baseboard, it makes it easier for everyone to reach it, not just someone with a disability. A home designed with a wide front door with a covered, well lighted zero step entry accessed by a wide, gently sloping walk makes life easier for everyone. Many times when I am having conversations with people about their homes, people will say, “What a great idea! That is so simple!” Most of the features I suggest are simple, but they can make all the difference in the world in the comfort and convenience you experience in your daily life. If you or a loved one are having difficulty with any area of your home or would simply like to update your kitchen, bathroom or any other feature of your home, inside or out, give me a call at (540) 384-2064. I would be happy to come and take a look at your home and see what kind of common sense solutions could make your life easier. You can also read past editions of Housing Matters and find lots of information about common sense solutions for life at www.solidrockenterprises.com.