Disability

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all housing transactions. In 2020, the National Fair Housing Alliance reported that 58.9% of all fair housing complaints filed the previous year involved discrimination against an individual with disabilities.

Discrimination on the basis of disability may look like:

• Refusing to allow a tenant to have a service animal or charging a pet deposit for service animals
• Constructing housing units that are not accessible to wheelchair users
• Only showing a prospective tenant with physical disabilities ground floor apartments to rent

 Laws that protect individuals with disabilities (Click name to view):

• The Fair Housing Act
• Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Notice to Housing Providers on Assessing Requests to Keep Service Animals
• Assistance Animal Integrity Act

 Organizations that cater to individuals with disabilities (Click name to view):

• Americans with Disabilities Act National Network
• Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
• Disability Rights Advocates

Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications

Under the Fair Housing Act, individuals with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications on an as-needed basis.

A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules, policies, practices, or services that are necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to “use and enjoy” housing. Common examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• Allowing tenants with a disability to have a service animal without having to pay pet fees, or a pet deposit
• Allowing tenants with disabilities to pay rent by mail instead of in person
• Granting designated parking for tenants with disabilities

A reasonable modification is a structural change to the premises that is necessary for a person with a disability. Reasonable modifications are done at the expense of the individual with the disability. Common examples of reasonable modifications include:

• Installing grab bars in the bathroom
• Widening doorways for wheelchair users
• Installing wheelchair ramps

Have you experienced discrimination? Call HOPE at 630-690-6500