Housing Comments

 

April 27, 2023

HUD Seeks Public Comment on Changes to Requiring Accessibility and Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in HUD-Assisted Programs  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) seeks public comment on potential changes to its regulation implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act for recipients of HUD federal financial assistance. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance from HUD. HUD’s Section 504 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) acknowledges the need to align HUD’s Section 504 regulation with environmental, societal, and technological advances and emerging issues.    As indicated in the ANPRM, HUD requests general information and comments on its Section 504 regulation relating to recipients’ obligations, including advances in accessible design, the use of websites and other technology, and auxiliary aids and services, such as assistive technologies, that have become available since HUD’s Section 504 regulation was originally published in 1988. Additionally, HUD’s Section 504 ANPRM includes several questions on HUD’s existing Section 504 regulation in relation to effective communication, program accessibility, updating federal accessibility standards, and enforcement.   All members of the public, including individuals with disabilities, HUD recipients, States, and local governments, Tribes, housing providers, and social service providers, are invited to provide input by July 24, 2023 via any of the following methods:   Federal Register: Select the “Submit a Formal Comment” link at the top of the notice and follow the instructions.    Regulations.gov e-rulemaking portal: Select “Comment” link and follow the instructions.   Mail:    Regulations Division  Office of General Counsel  Department of Housing and Urban Development  451 7th Street SW  Room 10276  Washington, DC 20410–0500   For background and more information, visit www.hud.gov/504 or access the docket via https://www.regulations.gov/document/HUD-2023-0029-0001. For further information, contact Amy Gioletti at the toll-free number 1-405–609–8561.