Housing Discrimination Against Veterans and Military

Members or veterans of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Armed Forces Reserve, the United States National Guard, and the California National Guard, as well as people perceived as having military or veteran status are protected.

People with disabilities are protected by both federal and state fair housing laws. Veterans or military with disabilities have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications.

A reasonable modification is a physical change to a structure that is necessary because of a tenant’s disability. Common examples include ramps, grab bars, or the removal or adjustment of cabinets to

allow wheelchair access. A tenant is usually responsible for paying for this change, except when the property receives federal funding.

A reasonable accommodation is a change or exception to a rule or policy that is necessary because of a tenant’s disability. For example, a request that a housing provider make an exception to their “no pet” policy for a disabled tenant’s assistance animal.

Buildings with four or more dwelling units built after March 13, 1991 must be designed and constructed to meet a minimal level of structural accessibility. To meet these requirements, a housing complex must have the following seven features:

(1) accessible common and public areas

(2) an accessible

entrance on an accessible route

(3) usable doors

(4) accessible

routes within units

(5) accessible light switches, electrical

outlets and environmental controls

(6) reinforced walls in

bathroom

(7) useable kitchens and bathrooms

In buildings that have an elevator, all units must meet these minimum standards. In buildings without an elevator, only ground floor units are required to meet the accessibility standards.

Multifamily projects with five or more units that received federal financial assistance for construction or substantial rehabilitation after July 11, 1988 must have 5% of its dwelling units accessible to persons with mobility impairments and 2% accessible to persons with vision or hearing impairments.

No. Some veterans receive HUD VASH assistance to pay for housing costs. California protects people with housing vouchers, including HUD VASH and Section 8, from discrimination based on their source of income. Landlords cannot refuse to rent to a tenant who has a voucher.

A California landlord who rents to a service member cannot require a security deposit higher than one month of rent for an unfurnished rental, or two months for a furnished rental.