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Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9932| House 
| Updated: 7/23/2026
Janice D. Schakowsky

Janice D. Schakowsky

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (6)
Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to ensure that newly constructed, federally assisted single-family houses and townhouses are accessible for persons with disabilities by requiring them to meet specific visitability standards. It broadly defines "covered dwelling units" to include various residential types, such as detached houses, townhouses, and modular homes, provided they receive federal assistance and are available for first occupancy one year after the Act's enactment. The bill also specifies that "Federal assistance" encompasses a wide range of government support, including grants, loans, tax credits, and mortgage guarantees. The core requirement mandates that these covered dwelling units must incorporate at least one level that complies with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A117.1-2017 Type C (Visitable) Units standards. To enforce this, federal agencies providing assistance must ensure applicants commit to compliance, and the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs can withhold aid if state or local agencies fail to enforce these standards. State or local departments responsible for building codes are tasked with reviewing and approving architectural plans for compliance and can withhold final construction or occupancy approval. The bill further establishes robust enforcement mechanisms, allowing aggrieved private persons to bring civil actions within five years of a violation, with potential liability for state or local agencies if their approved plans were non-compliant. Additionally, the Attorney General is authorized to initiate civil actions or intervene in private lawsuits to ensure adherence to the standards. Courts can award actual and punitive damages, issue injunctions, and order affirmative actions like retrofitting, while preserving stronger state or local accessibility laws.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4695
Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9181
Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4064
Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2019
Jul 23, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-5125
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4695
    Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9181
    Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4064
    Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2019


  • July 23, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-5125
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 23, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9932| House 
| Updated: 7/23/2026
This legislation aims to ensure that newly constructed, federally assisted single-family houses and townhouses are accessible for persons with disabilities by requiring them to meet specific visitability standards. It broadly defines "covered dwelling units" to include various residential types, such as detached houses, townhouses, and modular homes, provided they receive federal assistance and are available for first occupancy one year after the Act's enactment. The bill also specifies that "Federal assistance" encompasses a wide range of government support, including grants, loans, tax credits, and mortgage guarantees. The core requirement mandates that these covered dwelling units must incorporate at least one level that complies with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A117.1-2017 Type C (Visitable) Units standards. To enforce this, federal agencies providing assistance must ensure applicants commit to compliance, and the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs can withhold aid if state or local agencies fail to enforce these standards. State or local departments responsible for building codes are tasked with reviewing and approving architectural plans for compliance and can withhold final construction or occupancy approval. The bill further establishes robust enforcement mechanisms, allowing aggrieved private persons to bring civil actions within five years of a violation, with potential liability for state or local agencies if their approved plans were non-compliant. Additionally, the Attorney General is authorized to initiate civil actions or intervene in private lawsuits to ensure adherence to the standards. Courts can award actual and punitive damages, issue injunctions, and order affirmative actions like retrofitting, while preserving stronger state or local accessibility laws.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4695
Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9181
Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4064
Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2019
Jul 23, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-5125
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4695
    Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9181
    Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4064
    Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2019


  • July 23, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-5125
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 23, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Janice D. Schakowsky

Janice D. Schakowsky

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (6)
Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted