The Fair Housing Act is an all encompassing law that prohibits discrimination against anyone as it pertains to housing. The Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements apply to “covered multifamily dwellings” designed and constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991. Buildings are not subject to this design requirement if:
The “first occupancy” language has been defined in HUD’s Fair Housing Act regulations as “a building that has never before been used for any purpose.” This means buildings that are rehabilitated are not covered by the design and construction requirements even if the rehabilitation occurs after March 13, 1991, and even if it is substantial rehabilitation. Be careful, however, because there are other laws that may cover those facilities. Do not assume that if it is not covered by the Fair Housing Act, there are no other requirements. Housing projects can have up to six different access related laws requiring attention.
A dwelling unit, as defined by the Fair Housing Act, includes:
The design and construction requirements apply to “covered multifamily dwellings.” Covered multifamily dwellings are:
Condominiums and apartment buildings are covered by the design and construction requirements. So are time-shares, dormitories, transitional housing, homeless shelters that are used as a residence, student housing, assisted living housing, and others.
Information on FHA can be found at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp.
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