NLIHC Applauds Reintroduction of “VITAL Act” to Improve Accessibility in LIHTC Properties
Aug 17, 2026
By NLIHC Policy Team
Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), and Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced the bicameral, bipartisan “Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act” (S.5285/H.R.10049), which would make reforms to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to support more accessible housing for people with disabilities. NLIHC is proud to endorse the VITAL Act and applauds these lawmakers for their leadership.
The “VITAL Act” makes several reforms to the LIHTC program:
- Increases the amount of credits a project can receive if the project is in a walkable neighborhood and incorporates certain accessible design standards.
- Requires that at least 40% of states’ LIHTC units are disability adaptable and accessible (or at least 20% if they are in walkable/rollable neighborhoods).
- Increases the LIHTC annual state allocation.
More accessible, affordable housing is greatly needed across the nation. Less than six percent of the nation’s housing stock is accessible for people with mobility-related disabilities, and less than one percent is accessible to wheelchair users. In addition, people with disabilities are twice as likely to live in poverty compared to people without a disability; in 2021, the Century Foundation found that nearly 40% of renters with a disability struggled to pay rent. The VITAL Act addresses both accessibility and affordability by reforming the LIHTC program, the largest federal subsidy for developing and preserving affordable rental housing.
NLIHC supports the VITAL Act, as well as other reforms to LIHTC, including incentivizing deeper income targeting, strengthening tenant protections, and ensuring long-term affordability. Read more about LIHTC reforms here.
Take Action!
Tell your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the VITAL Act using The Kelsey’s letter.
Read the bill text here.
Read more from The Kelsey about reforms to strengthen accessible, inclusive, and affordable housing.