Reasonable Accommodation

Through HUD Section 504, OHA ensures that a “qualified” person with a handicap:

• Is afforded an opportunity equal to that afforded to others
• Is provided housing and benefits as effective as those afforded to others
• Is not provided different or separate housing or benefits unless necessary to provide the person with a handicap with housing and benefits that are as effective as those provided to others

What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception or adjustment to a rule, policy practice or service that may be necessary for the person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to the Housing Authority’s programs and services.

What is the definition of a Person with a Disability?
A person with a disability is any person who:

• Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; or
• Has a record of having such impairment; or
• Is regarded as having such impairment

What is BHA’s Staff Role and Responsibility?
BHA’s employees are responsible for ensuring that the agency does not discriminate against a person with a disability by refusing to make a reasonable accommodation that may be necessary to allow that person equal access under any of the programs administered by BHA.

Requesting Reasonable Accommodation
A reasonable accommodation request(s) may be made by or on behalf of a person with a disability to any BHA staff. If a participant or applicant indicates that an exception, change, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice or service is needed because of a disability, the BHA must treat that information as a request for a reasonable accommodation even if no formal written request is made.

A Reasonable Accommodation Request form can be downloaded or completed online here.

For more information, please contact:

Ebony Searles, Quality Assurance Programs Support Manager
600 Park Ave
Bremerton, WA 98337
esearles@bremertonhousing.org
(360) 616-7127