Since at least 1988, cities distributing HUD housing and community development funds to private developers have been required to ensure that multifamily housing comply with federal architectural and programmatic accessibility requirements. Unfortunately, many cities fail to understand these affirmative obligations, so housing gets built that is effectively unusable by people with disabilities.
Settlements of federal litigation by Relman Colfax against Los Angeles and Chicago have brought renewed attention to accessibility compliance. Abt Global recently published a report based on five years of auditing implementation of the Los Angeles settlement. While highlighting post-litigation best practices, it also provides a roadmap for how cities can avoid litigation by paying close attention to accessibility.
The report emphasizes that ensuring affordable housing is accessible to people with disabilities requires more than simply constructing accessible units or adopting accessibility policies. It requires creating systems and procedures to identify housing applicants’ needs, matching them with available housing, supporting property staff responsible for program compliance, and monitoring implementation over time. Cities across the country are increasingly recognizing the importance of these efforts as they work to comply with accessibility laws and expand housing opportunities for people with disabilities.
The report identifies several factors critical to promoting compliance that include:
- Establishing clear program expectations;
- Providing ongoing training, technical assistance, practical guidance, and support;
- Building relationships with property owners and managers;
- Matching accessible units with those who most need them;
- Establishing clear understanding among staff, housing applicants, and residents of the rights and obligations established by federal accessibility laws;
- Providing safe and trusted means for residents to advocate for their needs;
- Monitoring to identify trends, confirm expectations, and identify areas for improvement.
The full report is found here.