HUD and DOJ Issue Fair Housing Act Design and Construction Guidance

On April 30, HUD and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a joint statement providing guidance for developers and builders on their obligations under the Fair Housing Act’s requirement that multifamily housing be accessible to people with disabilities. Presented in a question and answer format, the guidance also serves to help people with disabilities know their rights.The Fair Housing Act requires multifamily housing with four or more units built for first occupancy after March 1991 to have:•    Public and common use areas that are accessible to people with disabilities.•    Doors wide enough for wheel chairs.•    Accessible routes into and through dwelling units.•    Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, etc. in accessible locations.•    Reinforcements in bathroom walls to allow installation of grab bars later.•    Kitchens and bathrooms usable by people in wheel chairs.The guidance addresses questions such as:•    What are the design and construction requirements?•    Who must comply?•    What types of housing are covered?•    What are accessible routes and entrances?•    What is an accessible public and common use area?View HUD’s media release at: http://1.usa.gov/16kejUE  View DOJ’s media release at: http://1.usa.gov/13lXJjG View the Joint Statement at: http://1.usa.gov/103ZVIa