Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable Accommodation (renting from relatives)

Federal regulations do not allow the Housing Authority to subsidize the rent of any participant if the property owner is the parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister or brother of any member of the participant's household unless as a reasonable accommodation for a family member with disabilities, then only if the unit meets a specific need of the disabled family member as certified by a health care professional.

To request reasonable accommodation an applicant must have a written statement from a health care professional stating that the unit he/she wishes to rent meets a specific need caused by the disability.

It should not state what the disability is only that this accommodation is needed and that it can only be met by living in a unit owned by a relative and another unit is not available that meets the needs of the disability.

For example:

The relative builds or buys a house that has wheelchair ramps and wide doorways and the unit is located next door to the relative who assists you with activities that the tenant can not perform.

The Housing Authority would in this case, with the health care professional's statement, be allowed to execute a Housing Choice Voucher contract on the applicant's behalf.

Also, if you have a disability need, such as needing another bedroom for medical equipment or live-in- aide, etc, contact your housing authority. You will still need a written statement from a health care professional stating that you need a reasonable accommodation.