Grants & Tax Credits for Home Accessibility
Homeowners in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia can recover thousands of dollars on accessibility renovations — through programs most people have never heard of.
Making your home accessible — ramps, grab bars, wider doorways, roll-in showers — is an investment in your independence. But it doesn't have to come entirely out of pocket.
The programs below cover homeowners across the DMV area, and they can often be stacked together for dramatic savings. Here's what's available and how to access it.
Montgomery County Design for Life Tax Credit
📍 Montgomery County, MD
A county property tax credit that can offset 100% of qualifying accessibility renovation costs. Three tiers available — the top tier (LIVEable) covers up to $10,000 for fully accessible homes. No income limit, no lottery.
- ✓No income requirement
- ✓No-step entrances, grab bars, widened doorways
- ✓Credits roll over at $2,000/year
Maryland Independent Living Tax Credit
📍 All of Maryland
A Maryland state income tax credit equal to 50% of qualified home modification expenses, up to $5,000 per year. Applies to your own home, a family member's home, or even a rental property — as long as modifications are for a person with a disability.
- ✓50% of modification costs
- ✓Covers rentals and family members' homes
- ✓Stackable with county programs
VA HISA Grant
📍 Maryland & Virginia
The VA's Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant funds medically necessary accessibility modifications for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Outright grant — not a loan. Can be combined with state and county programs, though Montgomery County reduces its Design for Life credit by other assistance for the same feature.
- ✓Not a loan — a grant
- ✓Available to veterans statewide
- ✓Stackable with Maryland & county credits
Prince George's County Home Modification Programs
📍 Prince George's County, MD
Prince George's County seniors can access local HOPP funding plus Maryland's Accessible Homes for Seniors program for ramps, grab bars, and accessibility upgrades.
- ✓County HOPP funding up to $30,000
- ✓State Accessible Homes grants up to $15,000 (under 50% AMI)
- ✓Ramps, grab bars, and bathroom accessibility
Statewide Programs in DC, Maryland & Virginia
Beyond the county and federal programs above, each DMV jurisdiction has its own statewide option.
📍 Washington, DC
DC Safe at Home (DACL)
In-home adaptations to reduce fall risk, such as handrails, grab bars, bathtub cuts, shower seats, and stair lifts, for District residents 60+ and adults 18+ with disabilities. Homeowners and renters may apply; income limits apply.
Official source: DC Department of Aging and Community Living
📍 All of Maryland
Maryland Accessible Homes for Seniors (DHCD)
Deferred loans for accessibility work. Grants up to $15,000 are available to senior homeowners who earn less than 50% of the area median income (AMI), need accessibility modifications, and do not qualify for a loan. Eligible work includes widened doorways, accessible showers, ramps, grab bars, and lever handles. At least one resident must be 55+; income and property requirements apply.
Official source: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
📍 All of Virginia
Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit (DHCD)
A state income tax credit of 50% of eligible accessibility retrofit costs, up to $6,500, for an existing home (or up to $6,500 for a new accessible home). Pre-approval is required and applications are due to DHCD by January 31 of the year after the work is completed; credits may be prorated if the annual cap is reached.
Official source: Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
How Federal, State & County Programs Can Stack
- Federal: veterans may be eligible for VA home-adaptation grants such as HISA.
- State or District: DC Safe at Home, Maryland Accessible Homes for Seniors or the Maryland Independent Living Tax Credit, or the Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit.
- County: for example Montgomery County Design for Life or Prince George's County programs.
Each program sets its own rules on whether it can be combined with others, what work qualifies, and when you must apply (some require approval before work starts). Check each program's rules before you begin.
💡 Stack Your Benefits
These programs aren't mutually exclusive. A Maryland veteran in Montgomery County doing a full accessibility renovation could qualify for all three. The amounts don't simply add up: Montgomery County reduces the Design for Life credit by other assistance for the same feature and applies at most $2,000 per tax year, and both tax credits depend on how much tax you owe.
The key is working with a contractor who understands the requirements of each program. The right documentation and the right permit type make all the difference.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Program rules, amounts, and funding change, and eligibility is decided by each program, so we can't guarantee you will qualify. Confirm current details with the official program before you start work.
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