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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2015.08.13 - 21982MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION 1/15226 BY: Commissioners Janet Jackson, District #21; Marcia Gershenson, District #13; Helaine Zack, District #18; IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL 395 AND HOUSE BILL 4719 IN HOME ACCESSIBILITY TAX CREDIT — STATE OF MICHIGAN To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS in 2015 there are 2.27 million individuals of various ages with disabilities in the State of Michigan according to the United States Census Bureau and 2011 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey; and WHEREAS 15% of Michigan's population in 2013 were 65 years of age and over as reported by the United States Census Bureau; and WHEREAS organizations such as the Disability Network/Michigan (DN/M), the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC), the Office of State ADA Compliance and the Area Agency on Aging 1-B are continuously striving for independent living for individuals with disabilities and for seniors; and WHEREAS the Board of Commissioners partnered aging service organizations, consumers, elected officials, business leaders and other stakeholders to create the report "Preparing for the Silver Tsunami"; and WHEREAS within this report, officials predicted that Oakland County will experience an unprecedented older adult population growth and that by 2030 the number of seniors in the county will have doubled; and WHEREAS the report further outlined that officials predict that by 2020, almost half of Oakland County's 61 communities will have more seniors over age 65 than school-age children; and WHEREAS "Preparing for the Silver Tsunami" identified as a priority goal assisting this rapidly growing senior population with improved access to affordable home modification and maintenance services; and WHEREAS when seniors and individuals with disabilities remain in their home, they enjoy a better quality of life, maintain their dignity and independence; and WHEREAS the high cost of renovation or relocation is often a barrier to seniors and families on a fixed income to continue living independently; and WHEREAS inner-ring suburbs, such as the City of Southfield, have many existing homes that were not built to accommodate the needs of individuals with physical limitations and an aging population; and WHEREAS Senate Bill 395 and House Bill 4719 would provide the financial relief individuals need to maintain their independence and remain in their communities with dignity; and WHEREAS under this legislation, tax credits could be utilized to offset up to $5,000 from the purchase or construction of a new accessible residence or up to 50% of the cost of renovating existing housing, capped at $5,000 per individual; and WHEREAS the States of Missouri, Georgia, Kansas, and Virginia and the Government of Canada have recognized the importance of independent living for individuals with disabilities and seniors by enacting similar tax credit programs; and WHEREAS the enactment of Senate Bill 395 and House Bill 4719 would measurably assist in meeting the housing goals stated in the "Preparing for the Silver Tsunami" report, allowing seniors to remain in their homes and contributing to the overall economic prosperity of Oakland County. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby support the passage of Senate Bill 395 and House Bill 4719 to provide a tax incentive for home modifications for the purchase or construction of a new accessible resident or to renovate an existing residence to improve home accessibility for Michigan seniors and residents with disabilities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Oakland is directed to submit a copy of this resolution to the Board's legislative lobbyists, the Office of the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader and the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan Legislature. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution. U/vtiL) Al2-ave../ Commissl(oniHr 11-11lHrni Z1,11 Disfria, #1 8 uernmissioner District # IC\ Corr% r^ "Dt7k-rR....k.'1" to Commissioner Marcia Ge?thenson District #13 Co mission District # 4 d.}41-441 r commissfone District # 20 Resolution #15226 August 13, 2015 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.