In the winter of 1996 the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, released a report tabulating their results of the Housing Forums co-sponsored by HUD, ADAPT, and NACDRH [now DRACH- Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing.] The forums, which were kicked off at ADAPT’s Houston action, were also held in Denver, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Oakland. Major issues addressed at these forums included:
The report was sent to each of HUD’s regional Secretary’s Representatives. HUD headquarters, particularly their new Office on Disability Policy, is using it as a guide to assist in reforming housing programs and policies to better reflect the desires of their customers with disabilities.
In September 1966 several disability rights groups, including ADAPT and DRACH, filed a federal lawsuit against HUD for lack of enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Disability activists all across the country have found rampant noncompliance among housing developers in their communities. Enforcement by HUD of their won regulations has failed to take place and has, among other things, resulted in many of the other problems identified at the forums. Settlement negotiations are taking place, but it remains to be seen if HUD is able to overcome its paternalism and prejudice enough to comply with 504 and other fair housing protections.
If you care about unfair housing for people with disabilities in your community, you might be interested in DRACH’s housing advocacy workshops and their new manual “From Warehouses to Our Houses”, not to mention their informative newsletter Home Front. To find out more contact DRACH: 501 SW Jackson, Suite 100-B, Topeka KS 66603 phone: 913/233-4572, TTY: 913/233-1815, fax: 913/233-5072 or email:drach@kspress.com