Reasonable Accommodations/VAWA Request

Reasonable Accommodation/ VAWA Request/504 Self-Assessment

If you need:

• a change in our policies or procedures

• a repair or change in your apartment

• a repair or change to some other part of the property

• a change in the way we communicate with you because of a disability


 You may ask for this change, which is called a “reasonable accommodation.” 


If your request is reasonable, if it is not too expensive, and if it is not too difficult to arrange, we will try to make the changes you need. We will make every effort to render a decision within thirty (30) business days. We will let you know if we need more information or verification from you or if we would like to discuss other ways of meeting your needs. 


If we turn down your request, we will explain our decision, and you may give us additional information. 


If you need to find an accessible unit in Annapolis, you can download a list of landlords with accessible units here.


Please advise us if you need help in using the form, or if you wish to receive this Request Form in an alternative format to meet your communication needs. 


504 Officer: Deborah Brown

Phone: 410-267-8000

Request for a Reasonable Accommodation

Request for an Informal hearing or grievance hearing

You can also download a form by clicking here. Fill out, and mail or fax to:

1217 Madison Street, Annapolis, MD 21403

410-267-8000  Fax: 410-267-8290
TTY/TDD # 711 (from your telephone)

VAWA Request


Emergency transfer request for certain victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking

Purpose of Form: If you are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and you are seeking an emergency transfer, you may use this form to request an emergency transfer and certify that you meet the requirements of eligibility for an emergency transfer under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Although the statutory name references women, VAWA rights and protections apply to all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking. Using this form does not necessarily mean that you will receive an emergency transfer. See your housing provider’s emergency transfer plan for more information about the availability of emergency transfers.   


The requirements you must meet are:

(1) You are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. If your housing provider does not already have documentation that you are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, your housing provider may ask you for such documentation. In response, you may submit Form HUD-5382, or any one of the other types of documentation listed on that Form.

(2) You expressly request the emergency transfer. Submission of this form confirms that you have expressly requested a transfer. Your housing provider may choose to require that you submit this form, or may accept another written or oral request. Please see your housing provider’s emergency transfer plan for more details.

(3) You reasonably believe you are threatened with imminent harm from further violence if you remain in your current unit. This means you have a reason to fear that if you do not receive a transfer you would suffer violence in the very near future.


OR 


You are a victim of sexual assault and the assault occurred on the premises during the 90-calendar-day period before you request a transfer. If you are a victim of sexual assault, then in addition to qualifying for an emergency transfer because you reasonably believe you are threatened with imminent harm from further violence if you remain in your unit, you may qualify for an emergency transfer if the sexual assault occurred on the premises of the property from which you are seeking your transfer, and that assault happened within the 90-calendar-day period before you submit this form or otherwise expressly request the transfer. 


Submission of Documentation: If you have third-party documentation that demonstrates why you are eligible for an emergency transfer, you should submit that documentation to your housing provider if it is safe for you to do so. Examples of third party documentation include, but are not limited to: a letter or other documentation from a victim service provider, social worker, legal assistance provider, pastoral counselor, mental health provider, or other professional from whom you have sought assistance; a current restraining order; a recent court order or other court records; a law enforcement report or records; communication records from the perpetrator of the violence or family members or friends of the perpetrator of the violence, including emails, voicemails, text messages, and social media posts. 


Confidentiality: All information provided to your housing provider concerning the incident(s) of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and concerning your request for an emergency transfer shall be kept confidential. Such details shall not be entered into any shared database. Employees of your housing provider are not to have access to these details unless to grant or deny VAWA protections or an emergency transfer to you. Such employees may not disclose this information to any other entity or individual, except to the extent that disclosure is: (i) consented to by you in writing in a time-limited release; (ii) required for use in an eviction proceeding or hearing regarding termination of assistance; or (iii) otherwise required by applicable law.   


Click here to download a copy of the Notice of Occupancy Rights under VAWA.


Click here to download a copy of the VAWA Certification Form - HUD 5382.

Section 504 Self-Evaluation

The Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA) is required under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) to ensure that its programs and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. A person with a disability, as defined under federal civil rights laws, is any person who:



  • Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual, or
  • Has a record of such impairment, or
  • Is regarded as having such impairment


Initially, with the issuance of the Section 504 implementing regulations at 24 CFR Part 8 on June 2, 1988, PHAs were required to conduct needs assessments and develop transition plans to address the identified needs of residents and applicants with disabilities (see 24 CFR § 8.25). Likewise, PHAs were required to conduct a self-evaluation of their current policies and practices to determine whether, in whole or in part, they do not or may not meet the requirements of Section 504. PHAs must then modify any policies and practices that do not meet the requirements and take appropriate corrective steps to remedy the deficiencies revealed by the self-evaluation (see 24 CFR § 8.51).


On December 21, 2021, HACA entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. One requirement of this VCA is that HACA updates its Section 504 Self-Evaluation, Needs Assessment, and Transition Plan to achieve program accessibility for persons with disabilities.


Click here to see HACA's 504 Self-Assessment containing the results of HACA’s Section 504 Self-Evaluation, Needs Assessment, and Transition Plan in compliance with the terms of the VCA.


Click here to see HACA's 504 Self-Evaluation Consultation process. HACA is committed to ensuring that individuals with a disability receive the benefits and services of its programs or activities, and does not discriminate on the basis of disability.

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