June 5, 2014

Las Vegas, NV – Today Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) toured the home of local Vietnam veteran, Lawrence Gaskins, to highlight the importance of the Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act of 2013. Introduced by Langevin and co-sponsored by Titus, the bill would reinstate the first-time home buyer’s tax credit for veterans of the Armed Forces and create an additional tax credit to help cover the cost of installing special fixtures or movable facilities in a residence to accommodate a disability of the veteran. Due to injuries sustained during Mr. Gaskins’ service in Vietnam, the Gaskins are paying $30,000 out of pocket to renovate their home in order to make it more accessible.

“We owe it to our veterans to ensure that they are getting the help that they need to live their lives to the fullest after their service,” said Titus. “Meeting with Lawrence and Louise today, I saw first-hand how important the Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act is to increase access to safe, adapted, and permanent housing for our nation’s heroes. I'm proud to cosponsor this critical legislation and will work closely with Congressman Langevin to get this bill passed right away. It is the least that a grateful nation can do to say “thanks” to those who have served in our nation’s armed services.”

“I am grateful to my friend and colleague Congresswoman Titus for her support of this important legislation, and I truly appreciate Mr. and Mrs. Gaskins inviting us to their home to share their story and highlight the need for this bill,” said Langevin. “I look forward to working with Congresswoman Titus when we return to Washington to get this assistance to our veterans as quickly as possible.”

The Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act of 2013 (H.R. 3422):

•    Reinstates the first-time home buyer’s tax credit for veterans of the Armed Forces.  The credit is for 10%, up to $8,000, of the purchase price of a principal residence purchased prior to January 1, 2017.  This tax credit was available to all Americans in 2008-2010, but has since expired.  

•    Creates an additional tax credit to help cover the cost of installing special fixtures or movable facilities in a residence to accommodate a disability of the veteran. This credit of up to $8,000 is valid when the veteran purchases a new home or retrofits his/her principle residence.