HUD HUD Fair Housing and Accessibility 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law prohibits discrimination in housing sales, rentals, and financing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability?
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of Civil Rights Act of 1968) (Correct answer)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Community Reinvestment Act
Correct answer: Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of Civil Rights Act of 1968)
The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII) is the primary federal law prohibiting housing discrimination based on seven protected classes.
Question 2: Under the Fair Housing Act, which design and construction requirements apply to multi-family housing built after March 13, 1991?
- All units must be fully wheelchair accessible
- Ground-floor units and all elevator-served units must meet accessibility requirements (Correct answer)
- Only common areas need to be accessible
- Only units marketed to seniors must be accessible
Correct answer: Ground-floor units and all elevator-served units must meet accessibility requirements
The Fair Housing Act requires that all ground-floor units in non-elevator buildings, and all units in elevator buildings, built after March 13, 1991, meet specific accessibility design standards.
Question 3: What is a 'reasonable accommodation' under the Fair Housing Act?
- A change in rules, policies, or services to allow a person with a disability equal housing opportunity (Correct answer)
- A structural modification paid for by the housing provider
- An exemption from local zoning ordinances
- A subsidy for low-income renters
Correct answer: A change in rules, policies, or services to allow a person with a disability equal housing opportunity
A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules, policies, practices, or services that is necessary to give a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing.
Question 4: Under HUD's Fair Housing accessibility guidelines, what is the minimum required clear floor space at a front-loading clothes washer in an accessible unit?
- 30 inches × 30 inches
- 30 inches × 48 inches (Correct answer)
- 36 inches × 36 inches
- 48 inches × 60 inches
Correct answer: 30 inches × 48 inches
HUD's accessibility guidelines require a 30-inch by 48-inch clear floor space to allow a person using a wheelchair to approach and use a front-loading appliance.
Question 5: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires accessibility in housing that is:
- All privately owned housing built after 1973
- Programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance (Correct answer)
- All rental housing regardless of funding source
- Only public housing managed by HUD directly
Correct answer: Programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance
Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including HUD-funded housing.
Question 6: Which HUD program specifically addresses accessibility requirements for new construction of federally assisted multifamily housing under Section 504?
- At least 5% of all units must be accessible to persons with mobility impairments (Correct answer)
- At least 2% of all units must be fully accessible
- Only common areas must meet ADA standards
- Accessibility is required only upon tenant request
Correct answer: At least 5% of all units must be accessible to persons with mobility impairments
Under Section 504 regulations, at least 5% of the total units in federally assisted multifamily housing must be accessible to persons with mobility impairments, and at least 2% for sensory impairments.
HUD HUD Fair Housing and Accessibility 1
Which federal law prohibits discrimination in housing sales, rentals, and financing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability?