Service and Assistance Animals in HUD Properties: Navigating Fair Housing and ADA Compliance

Handling service and assistance animals in HUD properties can be challenging, especially when balancing resident needs with legal compliance. This essential webinar by industry expert Rhanda Mckown will guide housing professionals through the complex landscape of Fair Housing laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring they remain compliant while making informed decisions.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of the differences between service animals, assistance animals, and pets, as well as the specific legal requirements that apply to HUD Multifamily funded properties. The session will explore what questions can and cannot be asked when processing reasonable accommodation requests and provide guidance on proper verification techniques to avoid common mistakes. Attendees will also learn to assess confidently when a request should be approved or denied, ensuring that all decisions align with federal regulations.

This training is designed for housing professionals responsible for lease enforcement, resident accommodations, and compliance. With expert insights, real-world examples, and practical strategies, Rhanda will equip attendees with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of service and assistance animal policies effectively. Missteps in this area can lead to costly legal issues, but with the right knowledge, housing professionals can protect their properties while ensuring fair treatment for residents.

Don’t let confusion about service and assistance animals put your property at risk. Join us for this informative session and gain the confidence to handle these requests correctly and compliantly. Secure your spot today and stay ahead in regulatory compliance.

Webinar Objectives

• Develop a clear understanding of the legal distinctions between service animals, assistance animals, and pets under Fair Housing (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
• Learn how to evaluate and process reasonable accommodation requests for assistance animals in HUD-funded properties accurately and compliantly.
• Master proper verification techniques, including understanding what questions can and cannot be asked during the accommodation request process.
• Gain the knowledge to confidently approve or deny requests while minimizing legal risks and ensuring compliance with federal requirements.
• Acquire strategies to balance resident needs with regulatory compliance to foster fair treatment and maintain operational integrity.
• Enhance decision-making skills to navigate complex service and assistance animal policies effectively.

Webinar Agenda

• Identify Service Animals versus Pets
• When to approve and deny reasonable accommodation requests for service animals at HUD Multifamily properties
• Learn what questions can and cannot be asked

Webinar Highlights

• Learn different types of assistance and service animals
• Identify how assistance animals differ from pets
• Learn questions you can and cannot ask when processing a reasonable accommodation request for animals
• Determine proper techniques for required verifications
• Learn how to be compliance with Fair Housing and ADA requirements at HUD properties
• Identify when it is proper to deny an animal related reasonable accommodation request

Who Should Attend

Staff at HUD Multifamily funded Properties: Manager, Assistant Manager, Leasing Agent, Compliance Officers. Staff responsible for processing animal-related reasonable accommodation requests as well as any front office staff who interact with residents and guests who have service related animals versus pets, including 504 Coordinators.