Retrofit and renovation

Assistance under this section may be provided with respect to eligible housing for the elderly for—

(A) retrofitting of individual dwelling units to meet the special physical needs of current or future residents who are or are expected to be eligible residents, which retrofitting may include— (i) widening of doors to allow passage by persons with disabilities in wheelchairs into and within units in the project; (ii) placement of light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls in accessible locations; (iii) installation of grab bars in bathrooms or the placement of reinforcements in bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars; (iv) redesign of usable kitchens and bathrooms to permit a person in a wheelchair to maneuver about the space; and (v) such other features of adaptive design that the Secretary finds are appropriate to meet the special needs of such residents;

(B) such renovation as is necessary to ensure that public and common areas are readily accessible to and usable by eligible residents;

(C) renovation, conversion, or combination of vacant dwelling units to create congregate space to accommodate the provision of supportive services to eligible residents;

(D) renovation of existing congregate space to accommodate the provision of supportive services to eligible residents; and

(E) construction or renovation of facilities to create conveniently located congregate space to accommodate the provision of supportive services to eligible residents.

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “congregate space” shall include space for cafeterias or dining halls, community rooms or buildings, workshops, adult day health facilities, or other outpatient health facilities, or other essential service facilities.