As property managers in the public housing sector, we have an obligation under federal law to provide accessible housing options to tenants with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines specific design requirements public housing authorities must follow to serve this demographic effectively.
In this post, we’ll breakdown the ADA regulations and offer best practices for integrating accessibility into new construction and renovation plans.
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Public Housing Regulations
The ADA falls under Title II, which prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in programs, services and activities provided by state and local governments. This includes public housing. Under the ADA, all new facilities must be designed and built to include wheelchair accessibility from the start. For existing properties, structural changes may be required to modify inaccessible features when feasible.
Getting Started with Accessible Unit Plans
When developing unit plans, keep in mind basic ADA requirements like:
- Entrances and hallways that are at least 36 inches wide
- Accessible routes to all living spaces without steps
- Reinforced walls in bathrooms for future grab bars
- Lever door handles that don’t require tight grasping or twisting
- Easy-to-grip cabinet and shower hardware
- 60×60 inch clear floor spaces for wheelchairs to maneuver
Public Housing Regulations also stipulate at a minimum, 5% of dwelling units (or at least one unit) must be fully accessible for persons with mobility disabilities. An additional 2% (or minimum of one unit) is required to be accessible for individuals with communication-related disabilities like hearing or vision loss. Specialized features may include visual alarm systems or amplification devices.
Ensuring Common Areas are Barrier-Free
In addition to the unit interior, common spaces throughout the property must meet accessibility standards too. Some key areas to evaluate and retrofit as needed include:
- Accessible parking areas located closest to building entrances
- Smooth, level pathways free of obstructions to all amenities
- Ramps with non-slip surfaces wherever there are level changes
- Accessible doors, corridors and accessible tables/seating in community rooms
- Signage printed in large font sizes with high color contrasts
- Visual and audible notification systems in lobbies and laundry rooms
Putting the Plans into Action
NSPIRE Consulting is invaluable for proper implementation of new ADA designs or retrofit projects. Early involvement means catching issues upfront to avoid costly mistakes or necessary re-dos after the fact.
For existing properties, it’s also important to establish a long-term maintenance and repair plan to continually address aging infrastructure or wear-and-tear concerns impacting accessibility over time. This helps prevent future discrimination claims.
Summary
In summary, understanding and applying Public Housing Regulations like the ADA is key to serving all residents inclusively. Partnering with accessibility compliance specialists leads to welcoming, barrier-free communities for individuals with disabilities.
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