[Central-MD-Chapter] Fwd: Unanimous Support for Aging in Place Legislation for Seniors and Veterans

[Sharon Maneki]

 If you live in Howard County, you may wish to follow the progress of the
bill described below. If you are a senior and own your home, you may be
eligible for a tax credit. The bill will be introduced on Monday, March 1.
You can read the actual bill by going to the link at the bottom of the
article.

*Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy*
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: District 2 <ojones at howardcountymd.gov>
Date: Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 5:08 PM
Subject: Unanimous Support for Aging in Place Legislation for Seniors and
Veterans
To: <samaneki at earthlink.net>


Howard County Council Unanimously Supports Aging in Place Tax Credit
Legislation for Seniors and Veterans


Ellicott City, MD (February 22, 2021) – The Howard County Council has filed
a bill to amend the existing County tax credit for seniors who are 65 years
or older and who have lived in the County for at least 35 years. The credit
also applies to retired members of the Armed Forces of the United States,
and their surviving spouses, but those individuals are not affected by the
Bill. Council Bill 23-2021 is the first legislative proposal introduced and
co-sponsored by all five Council Members.

"Since 2019, my office has tracked the General Assembly’s enabling
legislation in support of our aging in place community. This historic
legislative proposal has garnered support from all five Council Members and
would best assist valued members of our community,” said Councilmember
Jones. "This tax incentive is necessary as we stride through a global
pandemic that has impacted thousands of residents."

“I am so pleased that we are able to provide this assistance to those who
have helped support our County for many years as taxpaying residents.
Through their financial contributions, these longtime residents have helped
make Howard County one of the best places to live in the Country. This bill
recognizes their commitment to our community,” said Councilmember Jung.

If enacted, Council Bill 23-2021 would provide a tax credit for seniors who
are 65 years or older and who have lived in the same dwelling for more than
35 years. The legislative proposal phases in the reduction of the current
40 years residency to 35 years over three years. The existing 20 percent
tax credit for five non-consecutive years on assessed property value of
$500,000 or less remains unchanged.

The Bill does not change the ability of retired members of the Armed Forces
of the United States who are 65 years or older and their surviving spouses
who have not remarried to apply for the aging in place tax credit.

“Over the years, I have talked with hundreds of older Howard County
residents who struggle with the increasing financial burden of retiring in
our community. This legislation takes an important step to make the Aging
in Place Tax Credit more accessible for our older neighbors,” said
Councilwoman Rigby. “I am excited that the Council has put this proposal
forward, and I am grateful to Councilmembers Jones and Jung for their
leadership on drafting this legislation.”

“What a perfect time to improve upon our Aging-In-Place Tax Credit, during
a pandemic when we’re still not able to vaccinate the eldest and most
vulnerable among us and public health guidance still advises they stay
healthy, at home. I am delighted to join a unanimous Council in our support
of this bill,” said Councilmember Walsh.

“Through their decades of property tax payments and other contributions,
thousands of long-time residents helped create much of what we enjoy in
Howard County. I hope this expanded tax credit will help them remain a part
of our community for years to come,” said Councilmember Yungmann.

Adopted in 2016 by the General Assembly and later by the Howard County
Council, the “Elderly Individuals and Veterans” tax code established a tax
credit for residents who are at least 65 years of age, have lived in the
same dwelling for at least 40 years, or is a retired member of the United
States Armed Forces that meets the above qualifications.

In 2018 the General Assembly added language to include, “surviving spouses
of retired service members,” who have not remarried are now eligible
recipients of the property tax credit. Moreover, in 2019, the General
Assembly gave the Howard County Council the authority to amend the duration
of years living in the same dwelling (capped at 40 years).

The Howard County Council strongly encourages advocates, seniors, and
retired members of the Armed Forces to submit written testimony in support
of Council Bill 23-2021 by emailing councilmail at howardcountymd.gov.

The proposed legislation was pre-filed on February 18, 2021, and will be
introduced at the Council’s Legislative Session on Monday, March 1, 2021.
Testimony will be accepted at the Legislative Public Hearing on Monday,
March 15, 2021. Howard County residents may sign up to testify after March
5th by visiting https://apps.howardcountymd.gov/otestimony/
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zWlrMRYUINecgjYG0S4yL8xO7fhCZf5qjVic8-B9aOPq2QGNuKZBKoE1PYN9Da2xYGisZtnsuxBpVJoJirwjpTXyw8mcDusFG4YAgP99yEyXqUt6LdPOr8aM1PFdhnf2I8z_Nf75GD3W50Pyn98SGkR_T9YQQU6bZsQbP3U8scQ=&c=1LnZS5bWDS-AL-9BKHDcap-0w_IAF7kYNLh11UPkoHOGvp_JqsyiRA==&ch=WtRzbZ9u8aw2RSWReaFpJe5AFTTDWIRr_zft3pv1YlkXyQBtF3AjXA==>
.

To read Council Bill 23-2021, please visit https://bit.ly/37wI9u2
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zWlrMRYUINecgjYG0S4yL8xO7fhCZf5qjVic8-B9aOPq2QGNuKZBKryroGl8QtDuRA9mMYTADiN_EDsgc76n7JuPPF2-PpSd-18GV2hesMrMSWrXRvAfBuhhQHaT4xrDYXm3uz8nxag=&c=1LnZS5bWDS-AL-9BKHDcap-0w_IAF7kYNLh11UPkoHOGvp_JqsyiRA==&ch=WtRzbZ9u8aw2RSWReaFpJe5AFTTDWIRr_zft3pv1YlkXyQBtF3AjXA==>
.
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