Reasonable Accommodation or Modification Policy – Tenant Packet

A reasonable accommodation and/or modification is some exception or change that we make to rules, policies, services, or regulations that will assist a resident or applicant with a disability in taking advantage of a housing program and/or dwelling. The accommodation and/or modification must be necessary for the individual with the disability to enjoy and/or use fully services offered to other residents and/or the individual dwelling unit.

Reasonable accommodations can include, but are not limited to:

• A change in the rules or policies or how we do things that would make it easier for you to live here;
   
• Permitting a seeing eye dog for a household in a community where pets are not allowed, or not charging a deposit for a service animal though we charge deposits for pets;
   
• Permitting an outside agency to assist a disabled resident to meet the terms of the lease;
   
• Permitting a live-in Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to live with a disabled resident who might need 24-hour assistance;
   
• A change in the way we communicate with you or give you information.

Reasonable modifications can include, but are not limited to:

• A minor structural change or repair in your apartment or another part of the apartment complex that would make it easier for you to live here;
   
• Altering your apartment so it can be used by a resident in a wheelchair. (In the event that an alteration to an existing apartment is not economically feasible, the Housing Authority reserves its right to transfer you to a unit that fits your needs.)

A resident or applicant is entitled to a reasonable accommodation and/or modification when needed because of a disability of the applicant, resident, or a household member. We will grant all requests for reasonable accommodations and/or modifications that are needed as a result of a disability if the request does not pose an administrative burden and/or is not economically feasible.¹ If we deny a request, we will give you the reason(s) in writing.

There must be a verifiable disability involved in order for the household to qualify for a reasonable accommodation and/or modification. We are required by law to keep all information about the disability confidential. A person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment.

We will respond to all written and verbal requests for reasonable accommodations and/or modifications. Please complete the attached forms so that we may obtain the necessary information. This will help us to better serve you.

• Request Form for Reasonable Accommodation and/or Modification (for you to complete);
   
• Verification of Need for Reasonable Accommodation and/or Modification and Release (please fill in the name and address of your health care provider, such as a doctor, nurse, therapist, or social worker, and sign the Authorization to Release Information in the space provided to complete).

Return the Request form and the addressed and signed Verification form to the Housing Authority or your Manager.

Thank you.

Footnote
1 In the event that a request is an administrative burden and/or not economically feasible, the SFHA reserves its right to transfer you to a unit that fits your needs.

Download complete packet with both the Request Form for Reasonable Accommodation and/or Modification and the Verification of Need for Reasonable Accommodation and/or Modification
To read the pdf file, you will need a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader application

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