2) To ensure the opportunity for equal access to housing benefits and program related services, the SFHA will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. The SFHA will also make sure that forms and other documents completed by applicants are available in accessible formats. If requested by the applicant with disabilities, the SFHA will provide sign language interpreters and/or other auxiliary aides. 3) The SFHA will confirm the presence of a disability prior to making any accommodation or providing auxiliary aides. 4) At the time of initial application, the SFHA will provide a notice to all applicants that explains Section 504 and Fair Housing requirements including the right to request reasonable accommodations. 5) Intake and screening interviews and other meetings required during the application process will be conducted at accessible locations. The SFHA will make arrangements with the applicant to meet at home or at a location that is accessible. 6) The SFHA will not make accommodations that cause a fundamental alteration in the nature of the program or create undue financial and administrative burdens. B. Mitigating circumstances for all applicants and reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities 1) It is illegal to reject an applicant because he or she is a person with a disability or for reasons that could be overcome by the SFHA's reasonable accommodation of the applicant's disability or handicap. If, even with a reasonable accommodation, applicants with disabilities or handicaps cannot meet essential program requirements, it is permissible to reject them. 2) Such inability to meet program requirements might arise because of behavior or performance in past housing, inability to comply with the terms of the SFHA's lease, or needed services from the SFHA's staff that represent an alteration in the fundamental nature of the SFHA's program (e.g. Services to residents that are beyond the scope of the housing program, services not a part of the program.) C. Meeting 24 CFR Part 5, Subpart F, and the Section 504 regulation requirements for processing applicants including persons with disabilities: 1) Stage 1: eligibility review (applies to all applicants) a) The first stage of processing is the determination of program eligibility. At this point verification of disability or handicap is needed only to determine eligibility for a unit with accessible features or units in properties designated for use by special populations. In addition, a verification of disability will also be needed where an applicant claims deductions for income specific to their status as an elderly/disabled household.
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