Section 8 Rent Increases:

People with Disabilities

According to law, HUD must grant a waiver to local Housing Authorities allowing them to raise rent assistance amounts 10% higher than the Fair Market Rents (to 120% of FMR) in order to provide a "reasonable accommodation" for those with disabilities. You may be able to bring your rent down this way. To request a waiver, you must present a case to the Housing Authority that explains why a forced relocation due to your rent increase would worsen your medical condition or that the housing you are now in provides a unique accommodation for your disability. Below is a sample letter you can send. You will also need to enclose as much supporting documentation from medical professionals, social workers and therapists as you can. The Housing Authority will then decide whether to forward your case to HUD, based on what you have provided to them.

SAMPLE DISABILITY LETTER TO SFHA BELOW

[Date]

Tony Ucciferri
Section 8 Program
San Francisco Housing Authority
1815 Egbert Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

Re: Client #________

Dear Mr. Ucciferri:

I am writing to request a reasonable accommodation. Because of the reduction in your payment standard, my rent is increasing __%, to an unaffordable rate of [$____], which is [%increase or % fixed income]. As a result, I will be forced to look for new housing, an extremely difficult prospect.

I suffer from [state health conditions if you feel comfortable specifying]. The apartment that I am currently living in accommodates my medical condition in the following ways:

1. proximity to bus, medical care, pharmacy, etc. ...
2. elevator, laundry, emergency call box, caretaker or relative, etc. ...
3. adequate size, accessible unit, etc. ...

Should I have to pay the full rent increase, I will be forced to move. Due to my medical conditions I have neither the physical or financial ability to manage such a move. Finding an apartment that adequately serves my needs related to my disability would be a near impossible task. [State why move would be detrimental] Therefore, a reasonable accommodation in the form of a disability waiver is necessary. To mitigate the current rental increase of state increase, we request that you raise the payment standard to 120% of FMR as HUD allows according to section 982.503 (b)(1)(iii).

Attached is a letter from my [doctor, caseworker, therapist, caregiver, etc.] that further explains my dire situation. We appreciate your expedited response. If you have any questions please feel free to call me at [your phone number].

Sincerely,

[your signature]