Section 14-7403. REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

 

7403.1A person with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, residency in public housing, or participation in the Housing Choice Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation Programs of DCHA. All requests must be reduced to writing by the individual, DCHA staff or any person identified by the individual.

 

7403.2Reasonable accommodation methods or actions that may be appropriate for a particular program and individual may be found to be inappropriate for another program or individual. The decision to approve or deny a request for a reasonable accommodation is made on a case by case basis and takes into consideration the disability and the needs of the individual as well as the nature of the program or activity in which the individual seeks to participate. The following provisions apply to Requests for Reasonable Accommodations:

 

(a)All applicants will be provided the Request for a Reasonable Accommodation Form with the application.

 

(b)All residents will be provided the Request Form again at the time of recertification, and upon request.

 

(c)DCHA will respond in writing to all requests for reasonable accommodation.

 

(d)All decisions to grant or to deny reasonable accommodations will be communicated in writing and in the form requested by the individual.

 

7403.3Examples of reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

 

(a)Making a unit, part of a unit or public and common use element accessible for the head of household or a household member with a disability that is on the lease;

 

(b)Permitting a family to have a service or assistance animal necessary to assist a family member with a disability;

 

(c)Allowing a live-in aid to reside in an appropriately sized DCHA unit;

 

(d)Transferring a resident to a larger size unit to provide a separate bedroom for a person with a disability;

 

(e)Transferring a resident to a unit on a lower level or a unit that is completely on one level;

 

(f)Making documents available in large type, computer disc or Braille;

 

(g)Making sign language interpreters available to meet with staff or at resident meetings;

 

(h)Installing strobe type flashing lights and other such equipment for a family member with a hearing impairment;

 

(i)Permitting an outside agency or family member to assist a resident or an applicant in meeting screening criteria or meeting essential lease obligations;

 

(j)Permitting requests for extensions of Housing Choice Vouchers if there is a difficulty in locating a unit with suitable accessible features or otherwise appropriate for the family; and

 

(k)As a reasonable accommodation for a family member with a disability, approving a request for exception payment standard amounts under the Housing Choice Voucher Program in accordance with § 7408.

 

source

Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 2468, 2470-72 (March 15, 2002).