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Page 4 of 5 VERIFICATION OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST PHA may request documentation of the need for a Reasonable Accommodation as identified on the Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form. In addition, PHA may request that the individual provide suggested reasonable accommodations. The PHA may verify a person’s disability only to the extent necessary to ensure that individuals who have requested a reasonable accommodation have a disability-based need for the requested accommodation. However, the PHA may not require individuals to disclose confidential medical records in order to verify a disability. In addition, the PHA may not require specific details regarding the individual’s disability. The PHA may only request documentation to confirm the disability-related need(s) for the requested reasonable accommodation(s). The PHA may not require the individual to disclose the specific disability(ies); or the nature or extent of the individual’s disability(ies). The following may provide verification of a resident’s disability and the need for the requested accommodation(s): - Physician;
- Licensed health professional;
- Professional representing a social service agency; or
- Disability agency or clinic.
Upon receipt, the resident’s Property Manager, including private management companies operating on behalf of PHA, will forward the recommendation, including all supporting documentation, to the PHA’s Section 504/ADA Coordinator within seven (7) days of receipt. DENIAL OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST(S) Requested accommodations will not be approved if one of the following would occur as a result: - A violation of State and/or federal law;
- A fundamental alteration in the nature of the PHA public housing program;
- An undue financial and administrative burden on PHA;
- A structurally infeasible alteration; or
- An alteration requiring the removal or alteration of a load-bearing structural member.
TRANSFER AS REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION PHA shall not require a resident with a disability to accept a transfer in lieu of providing a reasonable accommodation. However, if a public housing resident with a disability requests dwelling unit modifications that involve structural changes, including, but not limited to widening entrances, rooms, or hallways, and there is a vacant, comparable, appropriately sized UFAS-compliant unit in that resident’s project or an adjacent project, PHA may offer to transfer the resident to the vacant unit in his/her project or adjacent project in lieu of providing structural modifications. However, if that resident rejects the proffered transfer or voucher, PHA shall make modifications to the resident’s unit unless doing so would be structurally impracticable or would result in an undue financial and administrative burden. If the resident accepts the transfer, PHA will work with the resident to obtain moving expenses from social service agencies or other similar sources. If that effort to obtain moving expenses is unsuccessful within thirty (30) days of the assignment of the dwelling unit, PHA shall pay the reasonable moving expenses, including utilities fees and deposits. Nothing contained in this paragraph is intended to modify the terms of PHA’s Tenant and Assignment Plan and any resident’s rights thereunder.
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