Reasonable Accommodations
The Tampa Housing Authority (THA) Is a public agency that provides low-rent housing and housing assistance to eligible families, elderly families, and single persons. The Housing Authority does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of their race, color, national origin, sex, religion, family status, or disability. Additionally, the authority provides reasonable accommodations to applicants if they or any family member have a disability.
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or change the authority can make to its procedures or housing units that will assist an otherwise eligible applicant with a disability to access the Authority's programs. Examples of reasonable accommodations include:
- Making large type documents available or having documents read to a vision-impaired applicant during the application process and subsequent communication.
- Providing a sign language interpreter for a hearing-impaired applicant.
- Permitting another agency or trusted advisor to assist the applicant with a disability in meeting the authority's screening criteria. The screening criteria applies only to the low-rent program.
- Making alterations to a housing unit to accommodate the use of a wheelchair by a member of the household for low-rent tenants. Section 8 participants must obtain permission of the private owner to make such alterations.
- Installing light-emitting smoke detectors in low-rent housing.
An applicant that has a family member with a disability must still be able to meet the essential obligations of tenancy: pay rent, care for their unit, report required information, and avoid disturbing neighbors. But, there is no requirement that the applicant/tenant be able to do these things without assistance.
If you or a family member has a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation at any time. It is up to you. if you would prefer not to discuss your situation with the Housing Authority, that is up to you too, it is your right.
