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Reasonable Accommodations

  • A "reasonable accommodation" is a change, exception, or an adjustment to a policy, practice or service that may be necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces.  Federal regulations stipulate that request for accommodations will be considered reasonable if they do not create an "undue financial and administrative burden" or result in a "fundamental alteration" in the nature of the program or service offered.  A fundamental alteration is a modification that alters the essential nature of a provider's operations.

  • If an applicant or resident indicates that an exception, change, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service is needed because of a disability, the Owner will treat the information as a request for a reasonable accommodation.

  • Upon indication that a reasonable accommodation is needed, the Owner will provide the applicant a Request for Accommodation form that they may use to make their request.  However, the Owner will consider the accommodation any time the family indicates that an accommodation is needed whether a formal written request is submitted.

  • The family must explain what type of accommodation is needed to provide the person with the disability full access to the Owner's programs and services.  If the need for the accommodation is not readily apparent or known to the Owner, the family must explain the relationship between the requested accommodation and the disability.

  • Before providing an accommodation, the Owner must determine that the person meets the definition of a person with a disability, and that the accommodation will enhance the family's access to the Owner's programs and services.
    • If a person's disability is obvious or otherwise known to the Owner, and if the need for the requested accommodation is also readily apparent or known, no further verification will be required.
    • If the family indicates that an accommodation is required for a disability that is not obvious or otherwise known to the Owner, the Owner must verify that the person meets the definition of a person with a disability, and that the limitations imposed by the disability require the requested accommodation.
    • The Owner will request only information necessary to evaluate the disability-related need for the accommodation.

  • The Owner will respond to the request within ten (10) business days of receipt of the request or any additional information necessary to make a determination.
    • If the Owner denies a request for an accommodation because there is no relationship, or nexus, found between the disability and the requested accommodation, the notice will inform the family of the right to appeal the Owner's decision.
    • If the Owner denies a request for an accommodation because it is not reasonable (it would impose an undue financial and administrative burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the Owner's operations) the Owner will discuss with the family whether an alternative accommodation could effectively address the family's disability-related needs without a fundamental alteration to the program without imposing an undue financial and administrative burden.
    • If the Owner believes the family has failed to identify a reasonable alternative accommodation after interactive discussion and negotiation, the Owner will notify the family, in writing, of its determination within ten (10) business days from the date of the most recent discussion or communication with the family.  The notice will inform the family of the right to appeal the Owner's decision.
    • The available unit will be held for the applicant requesting the accommodation until the Owner decides whether to approve or deny the request.  If the request is denied, the applicant will be notified in writing and given ten (10) business days to appeal the Owner's decision, during which time the available unit will not be rented to another qualified applicant.

  • To meet the need of people with hearing impairments, TTD/TTY (text telephone display/teletype) communication will be available.

  • To meet the need of people with vision impairments, large-print and audio versions of key program documents will be made available upon request.  When visual aids are used in public meetings or presentations, or in meetings with the Owner's staff, one-on-one assistance will be provided upon request.