Protecting the Housing Rights of People with Disabilities, Part 2 -- The Los Angeles Voluntary Compliance Agreement and HUD’s Role in Disaster Recovery

Welcome to Accessible Housing Matters!

 

In today’s episode, I’m back with Lynn Grosso

 

Lynn Grosso is the Director of Enforcement in HUD’s Office of Fair Housing. In this capacity, she oversees the administration of HUD’s national fair housing enforcement and compliance operations.  Lynn is at the forefront of many of the Department’s highest profile fair housing initiatives, particularly in the area of disability rights and accessible housing.

 

Lynn led the successful negotiation of HUD’s landmark 10-year agreement with the City of Los Angeles to address widespread noncompliance with federal accessibility standards in the City’s development of affordable housing.  The agreement provides for accessibility retrofits across the City’s portfolio of over 800 affordable multifamily housing developments and will incentivize new affordable housing with cutting-edge accessibility features that surpass current federal standards.  Lynn is an expert on the subjects of disability discrimination and reasonable accommodation in housing.  She specializes in issues at the intersection of fair housing and disaster recovery, sparked largely by her deployment to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina to tackle issues in emergency housing and long term recovery.

 

Listen to find out more about:

 

[00:01 - 01:23] Opening Segment

Welcome to Part 2 of my conversation with Lynn Grosso!

 

[01:24 - 23:44]  The Los Angeles VCA and HUD’s Role in Disaster Recovery  

It can be very challenging: Creating positive environments to make accessible housing flourish The Voluntary Compliance Agreement in LA and  Greater access to accessible housing over the next decade Voluntary Compliance Agreement versus Fair Housing Act Creating an Enhanced Accessibility Program Disaster Recovery and Accessible Housing Working with others for disaster response What about the finances? You have to be prepared for disasters including people with disabilities HUD’s role in building communities for disaster responses Recovery Assistance Facilitated by HUD How Lynn got involved in this work and what keeps her going Waving through the turbulent political environments

 

[23:45 - 26:32] Closing Segment

See links below to know more about Lynn Grosso Final word

 

Tweetable Quote/s: 

 

“Entities have to be prepared, have to be ready to handle the immediate disaster-related needs of people with disabilities.” - Lynn Grosso

 

“Communities have to plan to meet the needs of people with disabilities that have these challenges.” - Lynn Grosso

 

You can connect with Lynn through [email protected] or visit their website https://www.hud.gov.

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Accessible Housing Matters is dedicated to raising awareness about important issues around accessibility and housing, and getting conversations going. I'd love to learn more about what's on your mind, and get your feedback about the show. Contact me directly at [email protected] to share your thoughts or arrange a call.