Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP)

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for MHA staff to follow in determining eligibility for admission to and continued occupancy of public housing in accordance with HUD regulations.

It is the policy of MHA, also referred to as the “MHA” and the “PHA”, to comply fully with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (as amended by the Community Development Act of 1974), Executive Order 11063, Section 3 of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, and with all rules and regulations. Specifically, MHA shall not on account of race, color, sex, creed, or national origin deny any family or individuals the opportunity to apply for assistance under the Low-Rent Housing Program. Neither will MHA discriminate because of religion, age, familial status physical disability, pregnancy, parenthood, nor marital or veteran status.

To further its commitment to full compliance with applicable Civil Rights Acts, MHA will provide federal, state, and local information to applicant/participant households regarding discrimination and recourse in the event of discrimination. Such information will be made available during the Pre-Occupancy Briefing and all applicable forms and printed material will be made available to prospective resident families. Materials can also be obtained by visiting the MHA website at http://www.marinhousing.org/ .

MHA is also committed to making reasonable accommodation for persons with mobility or sensory impairments in an effort to maintain a barrier free environment. This may include reasonable accommodations related to program access or physical access and is not to be construed as special or preferential treatment. Where program modifications are required, they will be related to program access and will not supersede any of the requirements outlined in this policy. Reasonable accommodation may include arranging for assistance in reading or interpreting documents, arranging for alternative meeting locations for interviews or leasing activities, providing translation assistance, or similar actions that are aimed at removing barriers to the program.

In addition, MHA will make reasonable physical modifications to units or buildings if requested and verified as required by an applicant or resident. These could include the addition of a temporary or permanent ramp, the addition of grab bars, and the installation of equipment to make unit features accessible or similar actions that are aimed at removing physical barriers. Since MHA maintains units that are accessible to the mobility or sensory impaired, applicants or residents may be offered occupancy in one of these units as a reasonable accommodation; however, the applicant or resident is not required to accept such a unit offer.

MHA’s application will include a section where any applicant can request a reasonable accommodation or a unit accessible to the mobility and/or sensory impaired. Every effort will be made to match the needs of the applicant with appropriate unit features and this could include a reasonable modification of unit features to meet the need of the applicant.

For residents who require reasonable accommodation, a request for that accommodation must be made to MHA and MHA reserves the right to verify the need or request documentation of how the accommodation will address the need. Unless the reasonable accommodation results in undue administrative or financial burden, MHA shall make every attempt to grant the reasonable accommodation. If the applicant or resident requests a reasonable accommodation at their own expense, MHA will grant such request except in cases where the modification violates local code or result in irreparable damage to MHA’s property.

As part of its effort to maintain a barrier-free environment, MHA will make every attempt to meet the needs of applicants and residents with limited English proficiency. Where a particular need is identified (i.e. a population speaking another language exceeds 5% of the overall eligible population), MHA will make every attempt to hire bilingual staff, to translate documents into other languages, or to arrange for translation services.

Regardless, MHA will make every attempt to coordinate with other local agencies; including social service and educational institutions; to provide assistance in reading, understanding, or completing required documents or providing translation services.