It is the policy of the Boston Housing Authority to provide reasonable accommodation in housing for applicants with disabilities where reasonable accommodation is needed to provide an equal opportunity to use and enjoy BHA’s housing. The BHA’s goal is to provide stable, quality affordable housing to low and moderate income persons regardless of disability.
What is a person with a disability?
A person with a disability is an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life functions. You can also be considered disabled if you have a record of a physical or mental impairment or people regard you as having such an impairment.
A physical impairment is a disorder or condition that affects one or more body systems. A physical impairment can be caused by illness, disease, a birth defect, injury, age or anything else which disrupts a person’s physical ability to function. Some examples of physical disabilities are blindness, hearing loss, or inability to walk.
A mental impairment is a mental, psychiatric or psychological disorder. Some examples are mental illness, mental retardation or specific learning disabilities.
Under BHA policy, you may be considered a person with a disability if your physical or mental condition causes substantial difficulty in performing a major life function. Major life functions include the ability to walk, see, hear, breathe, think, read or care for yourself.
Under some circumstances alcoholism or a history of drug use may be considered a disability. Current users of illegal drugs are not disabled.
What is a “reasonable accommodation?"
A reasonable accommodation is a change which can be made to an apartment or a procedure which will allow a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to take advantage of BHA housing or programs. Any accommodation considered by the BHA cannot result in an undue financial or administrative burden or create a fundamental change in a program. For example, in the public housing program, it might be reasonable to lower the cabinets for someone in a wheelchair, put grab bars in the bathroom for someone with a mobility impairment, or put in a fire alarm that flashes for someone who has a hearing impairment. It might also be reasonable to allow a person with a mental disability to have rent payments made by a third party.
It would not be reasonable to prevent children from using the playground because the noise bothers someone or to provide a paraplegic resident with a housekeeper at BHA expense.
Under the Leased Housing Program, these kinds of improvements would be the responsibility of the landlord.
How do I apply for a “reasonable accommodation?"
If you need an accommodation in order to apply for BHA Housing, you should make the request to an appropriate BHA staff person. Some examples of the types of accommodation that might be needed include a sign language interpreter or having the application materials read to you. You do not need to complete a request form to obtain this type of assistance.
For any accommodation other than assistance in completing the application, you must request or download and complete a Reasonable Accomodation-1: Request form (available above).
- Complete a Reasonable Accomodation-1: Request. Forms are available for download above or at the John F. Murphy Housing Service Center at 56 Chauncy Street. They are also available at the Leased Housing Department and the BHA Office of Civil Rights at 52 Chauncy Street, Floor 9. You can make a request for a form by telephone by calling the reasonable accommodation coordinator at 617-988-4383 (TDD: 800-545-1833 x420). If you need assistance in completing the form, ask a BHA staff member for help. If necessary they will provide a reader or sign language interpreter. You will be asked questions about what family member has a disability and what kinds of changes are requested.
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You may be asked to provide confirmation about your disability from a medical professional or qualified service provider. The medical professional or qualified service provider may also be asked to certify and explain how the accommodation you have requested is related to your disability and will be effective in accommodating your disability. It is important that you meet any deadlines for requests for information. Failure to respond in a timely manner may result in your request being delayed or denied. If you need more time to respond, contact the staff person who have been working with.
- During the process of evaluating your request, you or BHA staff may request a meeting to discuss the requested accommodation. The meeting will be held at a location that is accessible to you. You may have a friend or advocate with you at the meeting. You may also request a reader or sign language interpreter and one will be provided by the BHA. If you are unable to come to an office, the meeting may be held by telephone or.
Who can I go to if I have questions?
The BHA has a reasonable accommodation coordinator who can be consulted at any time in the process. The reasonable accommodation coordinator can be reached at 617-988-4383 (TDD: 800-545-1833 x420). In addition, you may consult with the staff person whom you have had previous contact with.
The reasonable accommodation coordinator can help determine what kinds of accommodation are reasonable and would work best. If you have questions about information that is requested from you, if you don’t understand the procedures or you are not sure what kind of accommodation might be available for your situation, you should call the reasonable accommodation coordinator.
How is my request processed?
All applicants, porgram participants and residents must meet the basic qualifications for housing by the BHA. - BHA staff will review your request for reasonable accommodation. If additional information is needed, you will receive a written request. You should be careful to follow the deadlines in the letter. If you have problems or questions, you should call your initial contact person.
- The decision on your request will be made by an appropriate BHA staff person. The BHA has 30 days from either the date of the request, or the date all the necessary information is received, to make a decision. Whether your request is approved or denied, you will be notified in writing. Should your request be denied, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Office of Civil Rights.
Some things to keep in mind
- The BHA considers each request for reasonable accommodation as a separate request. Just because one person had a change approved does not mean that all requests for that type of change will be approved. The decision will be made on a case by case basis with the understanding that each person’s needs and circumstances are unique.
- The BHA may suggest an alternate accommodation from the one you request. The decision on whether an accommodation is approved will be based on reasonable cost and confidence that the accommodation will be effective in reducing the barriers to equal housing opportunity and on whether or not it involves a fundamental change to the BHA housing program or creates an undue financial or administrative burden.
Other Remedies
If at anytime you feel your request is not being processed appropriately, you
have the right to file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights or call the BHA 24-Hour Civil Rights Hotline at 617-695-3531.
In addition, you have a right to seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.
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Boston Housing Authority
Occupancy Department: 617-988-3400
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator: 617-988-4383
TDD: 800-545-1833 x420
24-Hour Civil Rights Hotline: 617-695-3531
United States Department of
Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
10 Causeway Street
Boston, MA 02222
617-565-5308
TTY: 617-565-5453
Massachusetts Commission
Against Discrimination (MCAD)
Room 601
1 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
617-994-6000
TTY: 617-994-9196
Architectural Access
Board
Room 1310
1 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Voice/TTY: 617-727-0660
(for accessibility issues)
Massachusetts Department
of Housing & Community Development (DHCD)
Room 1804
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02202
617-727-7765
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