To require all newly constructed, federally assisted, single-family houses and town houses to meet minimum standards of visitability for persons with disabilities.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · July 23, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
The Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026 requires all newly constructed single-family homes and townhouses that receive any form of federal assistance to meet minimum accessibility standards for people with disabilities. Specifically, covered homes must include at least one level that complies with visitability standards set by the American National Standards Institute, which allows people with disabilities to visit all publicly accessible areas of a home. The bill applies to housing one year after enactment and affects builders, developers, and lenders who use federal grants, loans, tax credits, or loan guarantees for residential construction. Enforcement occurs through state and local building code review processes, with the federal government conditioning housing assistance to states on their adoption of these standards, and private individuals can sue for violations and recover damages and attorney's fees. The law gives violators five years to correct deficiencies before the statute of limitations expires on potential lawsuits.
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