When can I request reasonable accommodations?

You must be a person who is otherwise eligible for Section 8 and have a disability in order to request a reasonable accommodation. To be considered a person with a disability, you must have 1) a physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or 2) have a record of such disability, or 3) are regarded as having such disability.

What kinds of reasonable accommodations are available?

Some examples of reasonable accommodations are: conducting home visits for a person with a disability who cannot come to the Section 8 office, providing a list of units accessible to the disabled, providing special assistance in finding a unit or referral to an agency that can help, rescheduling appointments, allowing a larger unit for medical equipment or a live-in aide, extending the period of a Housing Choice Voucher, allowing a special "exception payment standard” to make the unit more affordable.

How can I let the Housing Authority know that I need a reasonable accommodation?

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time by completing a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form click here. Your disability and your need for any requested accommodation must be verified by your doctor. Talk to your Housing Technician to get the correct form and to see what you need to do for your situation.

What if I ask for a reasonable accommodation but the Housing Authority denies it?

The accommodation must be ‘reasonable’. It cannot be against the law or change the nature of the assisted housing program like asking to pay less rent or no rent when the law says that you need to pay a certain portion of your income toward the rent. You can appeal the Housing Authority's decision to the Review Committee. The review will be conducted by persons other than those who made or approved the decision and their subordinates.

Can I ask my landlord to modify my unit to accommodate my disability?

 If you or a family member needs to make a change to your unit to accommodate a disability, you can ask your landlord to let you make the changes at your own expense. (Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are legally obligated to permit renters with disabilities to make reasonable modifications to a unit). Such requests may include, but are not limited to:

• Installation of grab bars, handrails, lever handles, ramps, flashing alarm/door lights
• Repositioning shelves, widening doors, raising toilet seats, modifying a unit to be wheelchair accessible. You may also choose to move to a unit with existing build-in handicap accessible features.
• Your landlord can ask you to remove the modifications when you move out and restore the unit to the same condition you received it in.

How do I ask the landlord for permission to make a change to my unit?

First, ask your doctor for a letter saying how the changes would accommodate your disability. Next, give a copy of the letter to the landlord with your request and get his or her written permission to make the modification(s) at your expense. Discuss the landlord’s requirement, if any, to use a licensed contractor. Check on whether a building permit is needed. The modification must meet local building codes. If a building was built after March 13, 1991 and does not have standard accessibility features, the landlord may want to consider paying for all or part of the modification to the unit.

Will the Housing Authority pay for the modification to the unit or building?

No. The Housing Authority is not funded to provide assistance to participants to modify their units. Some organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy, MS Society, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, or Regional Rehabilitation Centers, may provide assistance in some cases. You may also ask your private medical insurance group, Medicare, and/or Medi-Cal.

Can a landlord collect a deposit from me for the modification?

Yes. The landlord may collect a deposit in addition to the security deposit and require you to restore the premises to its original condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted) when you move out.

Do I need to undo the modifications that I made to the unit when I move out?

You will need to discuss this with the landlord. In general, landlords, where reasonable, may require modifications, such as ramps and grab bars, to be removed. However, the courts have ruled that some modifications, such as wider doorways or reinforcements inside walls, do not have to be removed.

What if the landlord refuses my request(s) for modifications?

Talk with the landlord about his/her objections to the requested modification(s). Perhaps a different modification might be more agreeable. If the landlord refuses to grant reasonable requests, contact HUD Office of Fair Housing to file a complaint against the landlord at (800) 347-3739 or visit www.hud.gov.

 As a person with disabilities, do I have to meet the terms of the lease with the owner and program guidelines in the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

Yes. An Applicant or participant family with a member with a disability must be able to: 1) Pay rent and meet the obligations of the lease; 2) Care for their unit; 3) Report required information to the VHA/SCHA; and 4) Comply with family obligations. An applicant or participant may meet these obligations independently or with assistance from another person or agency.

What happens if a landlord does not want to rent to me because I am disabled?

Federal and State laws prohibit discrimination based on disability. If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you may contact the HUD Office of Fair Housing for assistance at (800) 347-3739 or visit www.hud.gov for assistance with filing a fair housing complaint against the landlord.

As a person with a disability, can I be evicted?

Yes. The landlord can evict you for any legal grounds.  It is unlawful for any landlord to terminate a tenant based only upon a person being disabled.