HUD HCV Guidebook § 6

Accommodation
On a case-by-case basis, PHAs are required to provide reasonable accommodation exception payment
standards for a person with a disability in accordance with 24 CFR part 8. PHAs may, without HUD notification
or approval, establish an exception payment standard of up to and including 120 percent of the applicable
FMR as a reasonable accommodation for a family that includes a person with a disability.86
Examples of circumstances that may qualify for an exception payment standard as a reasonable
accommodation include, but are not limited to:
        •   Special features such as ADA compliant bathrooms or larger doorways
        •   Access to ground level units or elevators for wheelchair users
        •   Units outfitted for hearing or visual impairments
        •   Proximity to medical or other services.
As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the annually published FMRs are effective October 1st of each year or no
earlier than 30 days after the date the notice is published in the Federal Register if HUD fails to publish FMRs
30 days before October 1st.87 When evaluating a reasonable accommodation exception payment standard
(RA EPS), PHAs are to use the current applicable FMR to determine if HUD approval is required, even when the
PHA’s updated payment standard schedule is not yet in effect.