Get Help:
Design and Construction Resource Center
Call Toll-Free: (888) 341-7781 (V/TTY)
Email: FairHousingFirst@hud.gov
Contact your Regional FHEO Office
Contact your Local HUD Office
Contact HUD FHEO Headquarters
Stay Connected:
Fair Housing Instruction, Resources, Support, and Technical Guidance
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST is an initiative designed to promote compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements. The program offers comprehensive and detailed instruction programs, useful online web resources, and a toll-free information line for technical guidance and support.
Final Rule:
Fair Housing Act Design and Construction Requirements; Adoption of Additional Safe Harbors
SUMMARY: This rule amends HUD’s Fair Housing Act design and construction regulations by incorporating by reference the 2009 edition of International Code Council (ICC) Accessible and Usable Building and Facilities (ICC A117.1–2009) standard, as a safe harbor. The Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities standard is a technical standard for the design of facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities. HUD has determined that compliance with ICC A117.1–2009 satisfies the design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act and its amendments. This rule also designates the 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) as safe harbors under the Fair Housing Act. The IBC is a model building code and not law, but it has been adopted as law by various states and localities. The IBC provides minimum standards for public safety, health, and welfare as they are affected by building construction.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 8, 2021.
SEE: 24 CFR Part 100 78957 - 63 FR-2020b12-08.pdf
A First Look at Accessibility
- The Fair Housing Act
- Design and Construction Requirements of the Fair Housing Act
- Common Violations of the Fair Housing Act
Instruction
Our instruction curriculum includes general information, as well as more specific technical information regarding design and construction requirements, building strategies, various disability rights laws, and enforcement.
Calendar
Sign-up for upcoming FIRST training events and conferences around the U.S.
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST has been contracted by HUD to provide information, materials, and technical assistance to all relevant stakeholders about the accessibility design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act as amended in 1988. However, Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST is not responsible for enforcement of the Fair Housing Act. The information, materials, and technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance and are neither a determination of legal responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the Fair Housing Act.