Welcome to Webinar Understanding Reasonable Accommodation Process: - - PDF document

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Understanding Reasonable Accommodation Process: How to Increase Access to Housing for Consumers

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Welcome!

Webinar Trainers: Lindsey Bishop Gilmore, CSH Johnna Lowe, CSH

Our Mission

Improve lives of vulnerable people Maximize public resources Build strong, healthy communities Advancing housing solutions that:

3 Supportive Housing Training Center www.csh.org/training www.csh.org/quality

Your Experience?

Have you assisted a client in appealing housing denial?

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Your Experience?

• Have you assisted a client with a

reasonable accommodation or modification request? How?

• If client is denied at after completing

application, options are:

 Move on to next landlord opportunity  Appeal decision  Reasonable Accommodation/Modification

request

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Preparing for Housing Location Process Landlord and Application Process

• Ask Client about their history

 Gather documentation early

• Do research about the landlords
• Ask Landlord about screening requirements

before applying

• Tenant can bring along support during meetings

and interviews

• Release of Information

6 Reasonable Accommodation and Modification at Leasing and Occupancy

What is…?

Reasonable Accommodation Reasonable Modification Poll Question

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Reasonable Accommodations Requests for changes to: Rules Policies The way services are provided Reasonable Modifications

A structural change made to existing premises, occupied or to be occupied by a person with a disability, in order to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises.

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Individuals with a record of such impairment Individuals who are regarded as having such an impairment Individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities Who Qualifies? If denied at application:

• 1. Is the denial reason provided

by the landlord connected to applicants disability?

• 2. Can it be documented?

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What to Request?

Request

Verification the person meets the Fair Housing Act’s definition of disability Description of the requested accommodation and/or modification Description of relationship between the person’s disability and the need for the requested accommodation and/or modification

When Can Request Be Made?

At Application During Occupancy

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When Can a Request be Denied?

• 1. When the request was not made by or
• n behalf of a person with a disability
• 2. There is no disability-related need for

the accommodation and/or modification

• 3. If the request is not reasonable

At Application

• Landlords must:
• 1. Ensure the applicant Screening process itself is accessible

to all applicants Example – if an applicant is hearing impaired the housing provider must provide sign language or some

• ther method for communication
• 2. Housing provider must determine if a reasonable

accommodation or modification would allow the applicant to

• ccupy the dwelling, either by changing the rules or

physically modifying the housing unit

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Dos and Don'ts

Landlord may:

• request documentation that applicant has a

disability and

• Linkage of disability and reasonable

accommodation request (eg. letter from doctor) Landlords may not:

• Ask for medical records
• Ask about the particular type or severity of

disability or other specifics unless:

• Specific information relates to the provision of

the requested accommodation or modification

• Housing is designed only for a person with a

particular disability (housing funding requires targeting specific disability)

Best Practices During Leasing

If applicant is denied:

• Ask about Appeal Process
• Ask about Reasonable Accommodation/Modification

Process

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During Occupancy

• Housing Provider obligation remains the

same during occupancy as during application phase.

• Reasonable accommodation/modifications

requested during occupancy may be based

• n changes to a tenant’s disability status

after initial screening and lease signing

Best Practices during Occupancy Discuss with tenants – any accommodations

• r modifications

needed to support housing stability?

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Upcoming Webinars

• May 7, 2015 (10:00 am) –– Moving from Institutions to

Community Based Apartments – Supporting Consumers in New Settings

• May 19, 2015 (10:00 am)–Supporting Tenants Transitioning from

Bridge to Other Subsidies?

• June 4, 2015 (10:00 am) – Promoting Community Integration
• June 16, 2015 (10:00 am) – Coordinating with Landlords/Property

Managers to Promote Housing Stability for Tenants

For more information and registration, visit csh.org/summit15

Join us in Chicago!

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The Source for Housing Solutions

Contact Information: Lindsey Bishop Gilmore, CSH Lindsey.bishop@csh.org Johnna Lowe, CSH johnna.lowe@csh.org

Thank You!