Shernita Bethea
Housing and Human Services Administrator

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced its 2011-2012 Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Program's training cycle and the relaunch of its website. The Fair Housing FIRST project, which suspended operation on October 1, 2010, is a national initiative funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designed to promote compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements.  The FIRST Program provides training and technical guidance to help architects and builders comply with the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act requires certain features of accessible design in all residential buildings with four or more units built after March 13, 1991, including, for example, an accessible route, wider doors, and kitchens and bathrooms that are usable for a wheelchair user. The program offers comprehensive and detailed instruction programs, useful online web resources, and a toll-free information line for technical guidance and support.  The toll free number for Design and Construction Resource Center is (888) 341-7781 (V/TTY) or you may visit the newly updated website at www.fairhousingfirst.org

According to HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal and Opportunity and its Fair Housing Assistance Program, partners receive over 10 housing discrimination complaints annually. Approximately 48 percent of the complaints are based on disability. Consumers who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or 800-927-9275 for TTY users.  Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing