The Untold Costs of Low Income Housing for Disabled
People in the United States
Are you disabled? Do you live in the United States? Are you looking to find low income shared housing? Or are you lusting after that beachfront studio - and all you want a fair chance when competing against your able-bodied tenant rivals?
Whether you are seeking shared housing in a two-story house or living alone in a chic downtown studio apartment, being disabled means that you will have to go the extra mile when it comes to defending your own rights as a renter or tenant, in virtually any city in the United States. It's not enough to simply find low income housing for the disabled - the battle against handicap discrimination involves other costs as well.
Sadly, we're not even talking about housing improvements for the physically disabled. Aspects of a home such as thoughtful construction for handicap people - in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, common living areas and more - are lofty goals compared to the situation on the ground.
No, the cost of battling to find the right moderate to low income housing for disabled is as basic and survivalist as just getting the room. And given the discriminatory market for disabled housing as it is today, many handicap people stuck in a wheelchair would gladly monkey-bar their way up the a long flight of stairs if it meant getting that money view of the city, the waterfront, or the bay.
Fortunately, however, disabled renters - whether they are current or prospective - have various rights when it comes to being discriminated against by landlords. One of the most important rules to remember for any disabled person seeking housing is that property owners are not allowed to ask for medical records. In addition, they can't even ask about any sickness or disability that the person may have or be experiencing.
And when it comes to installing those stairwell monkey bars - or better yet, a handicap ramp - landlords are often required by law to bankroll the construction of necessary housing improvements for the physically disabled. Both limbless and wheelchaired tenants should be able to move about in their home to the largest extent possible.
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