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Guide to Reasonable Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities

It is the policy of the Housing Authority of Portland (HAP) to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and residents with disabilities where a reasonable accommodation is needed to provide an equal opportunity to use and enjoy HAP's housing. This guide will provide you with information about this policy and how it works.

Who 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 that 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, developmental disability or specific learning disabilities.

Under HAP 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 illegal drug use is not basis for a claim of disability.

How does HAP verify if someone has a disability?
In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation a person must be considered disabled, so HAP may require additional information verifying a person's disability. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability HAP does not require a verification of disability.

For persons not receiving one of these sources of income, a "Verification of Disability" form will be required. The form can be filled out by a doctor or licensed professional.

What is a "Reasonable Accommodation"?
A reasonable accommodation is a change to a dwelling or a procedure that will allow a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in HAP housing programs. Any accommodation considered by HAP cannot result in an undue financial or administrative burden or create a fundamental change in a program. For example, 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 HAP expense.

How do I apply for a "Reasonable Accommodation"?
If you need an accommodation in order to apply for or participate in HAP housing, you should make the request at the main HAP office at 135 SW Ash Street for any of HAP's programs, including Section 8 Assistance, Public Housing, Affordable Housing, or Special Needs Housing. If you are applying to one of HAP's Public Housing properties, you can submit a request for accommodation through any Public Housing office. If you are interested in one of HAP's Affordable Housing sites you can submit your request to the Rental Office at the site where you are applying. You can also request a form by calling 503.802.8300, or by e-mailing the 504/ADA Coordinator at webmaster@hapdx.org. You may also view or download a copy of the "Request for Reasonable Accommodation" form.

If you need assistance in completing the form, ask a HAP staff member for help. If necessary, HAP will provide a reader or sign language interpreter. If you are applying on behalf of a family member, you will be asked which family member has a disability and what kind of changes are requested.

Your request for reasonable accommodation must be submitted in writing. HAP encourages the use of HAP's "Request for Reasonable Accommodation" form. HAP will provide assistance in completing this form, if requested.  HAP will accept alternative formats, provided that all information requested on the form is included in the request. Any clarifying information can be attached.

HAP requires independent verification of the applicant, resident or program participant's disability (e.g. by a doctor, licensed professional representing a rehabilitation center, disability agency, or clinic, or the supervisor of a case manager representing a disability agency). The above professional may also be asked to certify and explain how the requested accommodation is related to the disability and will be effective in providing an accommodation. It is important that you meet any deadlines for requests for information. Your request may be delayed or denied if you fail to respond in a timely manner. If you need more time, let your site staff or HAP representative know.

Who can I go to if I have questions?
HAP has an ADA/504 Coordinator who can be consulted at any time in the reasonable accommodation process. The ADA/504 Coordinator can be contacted at:

Phone: 503.802.8372 TTY: 503.802.8554

Fax: 503.288.5775 E-mail: webmaster@hapdx.org

The ADA/504 Coordinator can help determine what kind of accommodations would work best in HAP's housing. 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 contact the ADA/504 Coordinator at one of the above numbers.

How is my request processed?

For Individuals in HAP's Housing Programs:
Reasonable Accommodation will be considered for an individual with a verified disability who currently participates in one of HAP's housing programs. (Section 8, Public Housing, Affordable Housing, Special Needs Housing)

1. You may obtain a request form at HAP's main office or at any Public Housing office. HAP will accept alternate formats of this information. Your written request for a reasonable accommodation may be submitted at any time .
   
   
2. Your request will be passed to a Manager for review within five (5) working days of receipt. If a determination is made that additional information is needed, you will be notified in writing. You will have ten (10) days to respond to this request for information.
   
   
3. The Manager or Supervisor will forward your request to the ADA/504 Coordinator (or individual deciding on the action, e.g. Section 8 Director) within ten (10) days of receipt. The ADA/504 Coordinator (or Section 8 Director) will notify you, in writing, within thirty (30) days of the decision made regarding your request. HAP will ask that you respond to HAP's proposed accommodation, preferably in writing, within ten (10) working days.
   
   
4. HAP will provide the accommodation in a timely manner. The implementation schedule will be determined by the nature of the accommodation.
   
   
5. If you request is denied, you will have an opportunity to meet and discuss the denial with the staff person who made the decision. You will be given this contact information in writing.

For Applicants to HAP's Housing Programs:
Reasonable Accommodation will be considered for an applicant with a verified disability who meets basic qualifications for HAP housing. An applicant must meet income guidelines, pass screening criteria for the respective housing program, and be able to meet and agree to abide by provisions of his/her respective lease or contract for assistance.

1. You may obtain a request form at HAP's main office or at any Public Housing office. HAP will accept alternate formats of this information. Your written request for a reasonable accommodation may be submitted at any time.
   
   
2. Your request will be passed to a Manager for review within five (5) working days of receipt. If a determination is made that additional information is needed, you will be notified in writing. You will have ten (10) days to respond to this request for information.
   
   
3. The Manager or Supervisor will forward your request to the ADA/504 Coordinator (or individual deciding the action, e.g. Section 8 Director) within ten (10) days of receipt. The ADA/504 Coordinator (or Section 8 Director) will notify you, in writing, within thirty (30) days of the decision made regarding your request. HAP will then ask that you respond to HAP's proposed accommodation, preferably in writing, within ten (10) working days.
   
   
4. HAP will provide the accommodation in a timely manner. The implementation schedule will be determined by the nature of the accommodation.

Some things to keep in mind
•  HAP considers each request for reasonable accommodation as a separate request. Just because one person has a request approved does not mean that all requests of that type 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.

•  Whether your request for reasonable accommodation is approved or not, you must follow the provisions of your lease. You must pay your rent, not disturb your neighbors, and not engage in criminal activity.

•  HAP may suggest an alternate accommodation from the one you request. The decision on whether an accommodation is approved will be based on its effectiveness in reducing the barriers to equal housing opportunity and on whether or not it involves a fundamental change to HAP's housing programs 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 HAP's ADA/504 Coordinator by contacting one of the numbers shown below. In addition, you have a right to seek assistance from:

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Phone: 1.800.877.0246
Multnomah County Legal Aid Phone: 503.224.4094

ADA/504 Guidance
The 504 Disability Advisory Board representing at least 6 major disability groups has advised on the reasonable accommodation policy for the Housing Authority of Portland.

Policy of Non-Discrimination
We are pledged to the letter and the spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtain housing.

HAP will not discriminate against any person on grounds of race, color, religion, sex, handicap (disability), familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, source of income, age, or marital status.

We at HAP are committed to assuring that discrimination does not occur in any program or activity provided for the benefit of applicants for assistance, program participants or employees.

Important Phone Numbers

HAP's ADA/504 Coordinator Phone: 503.802.8372

Fax: 503.288.5775

TTY: 503.802.8554

E-mail: webmaster@hapdx.org

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Phone: 800.877.0246

Multnomah County Legal Aid Phone: 503.244.4094

Glossary:

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

504: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

HAP: Housing Authority of Portland

HUD: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

A larger-print version of HAP's Guide to Reasonable Accomodation for Persons with Disabilities is available as a PDF file.

If you need to have a printed booklet containing this information sent to you in the mail, please contact us. Remember to include your name and mailing address with your request.

To view the PDF files on HAP's website, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader. It can be downloaded for free by clicking the "Get Acrobat Reader" logo. For information about translating PDF files into text to assist visually-impaired users, visit Access.Adobe.com.

HAP# X-32 (revised 1/07)