One in five Americans have some form of disability. All want to maintain a certain quality of life. Sometimes because of their disabilities that disabled need a little help so that they can enjoy things equally.
This webinar will speak to how to help those who are disabled and not face any discrimination in any form of housing.
Housing providers are required to make a reasonable accommodation in their rules, policies, practices and procedures, and to allow reasonable modifications (changes to the physical structure) for individuals with disabilities. A request need not be in writing, but it is recommended that a request be made in writing so that there is a record of both the request and the date it was sent. When considering a reasonable accommodation/modification request, a housing provider may take only the following into consideration:
What is the definition of a disability? A disability is a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. It also includes having a record of such an impairment or regarding someone as having such an impairment when they do not.
It is the right of all to be treated equally. Unfortunately, some have physical limitations. These limitations are mitigated by special rights given to them through reasonable modification. These right and additional topics related to the disabled will be covered in this webinar
Fair housing laws require providers to make reasonable accommodations in their rules, policies, practices or services to give a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling unit or common space.
Accommodations are “reasonable” when they are practical and feasible. This is the important concept in helping the disabled to enjoy life as the non disabled. Many disabled individuals face discrimination the housing. Whether they are denied housing out right or face consequences of bias in the property as they are disabled and need some help and consideration.
There are many strategies that can be used and some of them are federally mandated to be put in force. These strategies and making everyone aware of the rules that are in place to help them will be discussed.
We will go over the gamut of issues about disability. There are two types of disability: one is physical, and the other is non-observable. For fair housing purposes, how are they verified and who does the verification. Also, the timeframe of the requests. All facets are pointed in one direction, what we can do for the disabled. How can they have opportunities to enjoy where they live as the non-disabled population has.
Step wise flow of session to help audience understand what pain areas will be covered
There are practical,” real world” examples of HUD cases of not granting a reasonable accommodation request and the financial repercussions involved.
Paul has been involved in the real estate industry for the past 38 years. He has been involved in sales, construction, project management, appraisal, mortgage consulting and brokerage, property management and property management consulting/training.
Through his consulting company, Property Management Solutions, he provides training and consulting services nationwide to owners, management companies, multi-housing associations, as well as state and federal agencies.
He specializes in fair housing issues and has developed fair housing and outreach programs for governmental agencies as well as conducting seminars which are presented to property management companies, apartment associations and the general public. He also conducts research analysis for impediments to fair housing for grantees of federal CDBG funds.
Most recently, he has been a consultant to the City of Sioux Falls and the State of South Dakota. In this assignment he has developed a fair housing awareness program that is one of the first of its kind in the nation. It involves a three pronged approach to fair housing awareness. This approach makes use of an ombudsman concept and has proven to be very effective in dealing with discrimination and landlord/tenant issues.
For over twenty years was involved in appraisal of residential, multi-family, farm and commercial properties throughout the Midwest. Most recently, he was a consultant for affordable, multi-housing properties in 22 different states. This involved properties in HUD, Rural Development, HOME and Tax Credit programs.
Paul was previously Vice President of the South Dakota Multi-Housing Association, Vice Chairman of the Minnehaha County Housing and Redevelopment Commission, and Chairman of the Sioux Falls Property Appeals Board. In 2009, he received the Outstanding Educator of the Year award from the South Dakota Multi-Housing