Welcome to Webinar Understanding Reasonable Accommodation Process: - PDF document

Welcome to Webinar Understanding Reasonable Accommodation Process: How to Increase Access to Housing for Consumers Call in: 1-650-479-3207 Access code:665 532 739 -OR- Click the “communicate” tab, select “audio broadcast” and this will open: Please complete the POLL QUESTION Webex Key Features Everyone is muted Have a question? Type into the Q&A Box on the bottom right panel and send to the host. 1

Welcome! Webinar Trainers: Lindsey Bishop Gilmore, Johnna Lowe, CSH CSH Our Mission Advancing housing solutions that: Maximize public Build strong, Improve lives of resources healthy vulnerable communities people 2

Supportive Housing Training Center www.csh.org/training www.csh.org/quality Your Experience? Have you assisted a client in appealing housing denial? 3

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 4

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 5

Reasonable Accommodation and Modification at Leasing and Occupancy What is…? Reasonable Reasonable Accommodation Modification Poll Question 6

Reasonable Accommodations Requests for changes to: The way services Rules Policies 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. 7

Who Qualifies? Individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities Individuals who are regarded as having such an impairment Individuals with a record of such impairment If denied at application: 1. Is the denial reason provided by the landlord connected to applicants disability? 2. Can it be documented? 8

What to Request? Verification the person meets the Fair Housing Act’s definition of disability Request 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 During Application Occupancy 9

When Can a Request be Denied? 1. When the request was not made by or on 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 other method for communication 2. Housing provider must determine if a reasonable accommodation or modification would allow the applicant to occupy the dwelling, either by changing the rules or physically modifying the housing unit 10

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 11

During Occupancy  Housing Provider obligation remains the same during occupancy as during application phase.  Reasonable accommodation/modifications requested during occupancy may be based on changes to a tenant’s disability status after initial screening and lease signing Best Practices during Occupancy Discuss with tenants – any accommodations or modifications needed to support housing stability? 12

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 Join us in Chicago! For more information and registration, visit csh.org/summit15 13

Thank You! Contact Information: The Source for Housing Solutions Lindsey Bishop Gilmore, CSH Lindsey.bishop@csh.org Johnna Lowe, CSH johnna.lowe@csh.org 14