____________, 20__

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

Re: Reasonable Accommodation Request

To Whom It May Concern:

On behalf of my client ________________________, I am writing to request a Reasonable Accommodation based on my client’s disability.

Establishing Disability

My client _________________________ suffers from a disability described as __________________ _____________________________________________. People with disabilities constitute a protected class under the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 (hereinafter “FHA”) 42 USCA §§ 3601-3619. Under FHA § 804(f)(3)(B), a landlord may not “refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.”

Disability-Related Need for Accommodation

Because of the disability described above, my client ____________________ struggles with the following issues: __________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________.

According to the Joint Statement of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice on Reasonable Accommodations Under the Fair Housing Act 12-13 (2004) (hereinafter “Joint Statement): “If a person’s disability is obvious or otherwise known to the provider, and if the need for the requested accommodation is also readily apparent or known, then the provider may not request any additional information about the requester’s disability or the disability-related need for the accommodation.”

I believe the disability is obvious and the need for accommodation is readily apparent. If the disability and/or the need for accommodation are not readily apparent, please inform me, and I will provide additional information about the disability and why this disability requires an accommodation.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

In order to address the issues described above, my client _____________________ has agreed work with the following community-based service provider: _________________ ____________________________. The services provided by this service provider are designed specifically to assist my client with ___________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The services that my client receives to address the allegations of lease violations are offered with no cost to the owner.

This request for a Reasonable Accommodation includes the following:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As you may be aware, reasonable accommodations are changes or waivers to polices, practices, procedures or services to allow accessibility and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. Please see the enclosed HUD/DOJ Joint Statement on Reasonable Accommodations for conditions necessary to deny or amend this request. Please note that according to Boston Housing Authority v. Bridgewaters, 452 Mass. 833, 898 N.E.2d 848 (Mass.2009), a concern about a direct threat to health and safety is not a valid reason to refuse to grant a reasonable accommodation if the reasonable accommodation would address the concerns causing the perceived direct threat.

Thank you for your consideration of this reasonable accommodation request. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact me at _____________________.

Sincerely,