Why Federal Housing Laws Don’t Go Far Enough, with Jan Garrett

Welcome to Accessible Housing Matters!

In today’s episode, I welcome Jan Garrett, Program Manager at Pacific ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Center. She is on a mission -- to enhance understanding of disability rights laws and accessibility standards as well as to ensure that individuals with disabilities are an integral part of diversity and inclusion efforts.

But are federal housing laws helping with this effort? Let’s dive in on why federal housing laws don’t go far enough, and what is being done about it!

Listen to find out more about:

[00:01 - 04:34] Opening Segment

I welcome Jan Garrett  to the show Bio  How the law is relevant around accessible housing Overview of what federal law speaks to within accessible housing Only touches housing remotely  Fair Housing Act  What the ADA requires

[07:02 - 13:31] The Fair Housing Act

How Fair Housing applies to townhouses and single family homes The definitions that are exempt  What applies  Deep dive into multi-unit dwellings, what does it mean? Explaining current housing trends under Fair Housing Overlays on Fair Housing from other States Public and private entities 

[13:32 - 25:20]  Why Federal Housing Laws Don’t Go Far Enough

Legislation for non-physical disabilities for private housing Physical and communication units  Must allow ‘reasonable modifications’ Modification vs. accommodation How the HOA is associated  Jan talks about the enforcement of the law  What Jan would change in the housing law area More accessible housing stock  Single Family Home regulations

[25:21 - 30:20] Closing Segment

Where to go for more information and resources Info from ADA Pacific  Link below How to get something enforced  Why Jan does what she does See links below to know more about Jan Garrett  Final word

 

Tweetable Quote/s:

“I feel like people NEED the ability to keep their property if they want it and age in place ,and have that basic accessibility…” - Jan Garrett

“We make a difference at the ADA national network, to be able to help people understand what their rights are.” - Jan Garrett 

 

Resources Mentioned: 

https://www.hud.gov/ 

 

You can connect with Jan through LinkedIn, or you can visit https://www.adapacific.org/ for more info on accessible housing as it applies to the law. 

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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.