NCD Report on Affordable and Accessible Disability Housing

Author: National Council on Disability
Published: 19 Jan 2010 - Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Reports & Proceedings

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This report from the National Council on Disability, titled The State of Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective, takes a close look at whether people with disabilities in the United States can find housing that is affordable, accessible, and suited to their needs. The study had three goals: to evaluate the public laws, policies, and programs that shape housing options, to map out what housing, supports, and benefits are offered through the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, and to recommend improvements. It found unmet housing needs even when measured only by standard affordability benchmarks, and a clear gap between policy goals and real-world outcomes. Its main recommendations call for more affordable, accessible, and integrated housing, better access to existing units, stopping the further loss of accessible affordable stock, wider and more focused use of housing vouchers, and stronger fair housing enforcement of disability rights. The findings reach beyond people with lifelong disabilities to seniors who need accessible homes as they age and anyone living with a temporary disability, which makes the report a useful reference for advocates, families, housing providers, and policymakers working to make communities more livable.*

At a Glance

• 1 - The findings draw on federal agency data, academic research, and work completed by disability advocates.
• 2 - NCD is an independent federal agency that advises the President, Congress, and other government agencies on disability policy.
• 3 - Best practices were verified by triangulating interviews, published reports, and internet research, then reviewed by an expert panel.
• 4 - NCD Chairperson Linda Wetters noted that some developers and property owners fail to comply with laws requiring a share of accessible units.

Topic Definition

Accessible Affordable Housing

Accessible affordable housing refers to homes that people with disabilities can both afford and use safely and independently. Affordability is usually measured by whether a household spends no more than about 30 percent of its income on housing costs, while accessibility covers physical features such as zero-step entrances, wide doorways and hallways, reachable controls, roll-in showers, and grab bars, along with the right to reasonable modifications and accommodations. In the United States, laws including the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act set requirements for accessible units in certain housing. When housing is also integrated into the wider community rather than segregated, it allows disabled people and older adults to live independently, stay close to family and services, and avoid unnecessary institutional care.

Overview

Affordable, Accessible and Appropriate Housing for Disabled

The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a report titled The State of Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective that provides recommendations intended to improve housing opportunities for people with disabilities.

This report looks at the state of housing for people with disabilities with the intent to provide recommendations that can improve housing opportunities. The research contained in this report provides a comprehensive overview of the state of housing in the twenty-first century and answers important questions about the current housing needs and options for people with disabilities living in the United States.

The National Council on Disability undertook this study with three objectives in mind:

• To evaluate public laws, policies, and program initiatives affecting the housing opportunities available to Americans with disabilities and others who have accessible housing needs for whatever reason, whether due to aging or a temporary disability.
• To analyze what housing, supports, and other benefits are available through the public, nonprofit, and/or private sectors.
• To provide recommendations that can improve housing opportunities for people with disabilities in the United States.

According to NCD Chairperson Linda Wetters:

"Affordable, accessible, and appropriate housing is critical and integral to making a community more livable for people with disabilities. In this report, NCD finds that there are unmet housing needs based solely on standard measures of housing affordability. This analysis also reveals a gap between current policy goals and outcomes "even with laws in place requiring a portion of units to be accessible, some developers and property owners do not comply. Whether it is due to ignorance or intent, the evidence suggests we have missed opportunities to increase the supply of accessible, affordable housing."

The findings and recommendations contained in this document are grounded in data and research gathered from federal agencies, either directly or via published reports, and from research completed by academics and disability advocates.

This report also provides evidence of what can be effective in meeting the range of housing needs among a diverse group of consumers with disabilities. This includes best and promising practices drawn from real examples, and lessons learned from experts working on housing issues and policy.

In reviewing best and promising practices, data was triangulated from different sources interviews, published reports, and Internet research to assure a comprehensive assessment. To this end, the research has been reviewed and commented on by a diverse panel of experts and consumer groups that have all provided valuable insights and guidance.

Some of the recommendations include:

• Increase affordable, accessible, and integrated housing for people with disabilities to meet needs and demand.
• Increase access to existing units.
• Prevent further loss of affordable, accessible housing.
• Expand and focus usage of vouchers.
• Improve fair housing enforcement of disability rights.

The purpose of the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency, is to promote programs, practices, policies and procedures that ensure full inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society. NCD accomplishes this mission by providing advice and making recommendations to the President, Congress, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What percentage of income is considered affordable housing?

Housing is generally considered affordable when a household spends no more than 30 percent of its gross income on rent or mortgage payments plus utilities. Households paying more than that are considered cost burdened, and those paying over 50 percent are considered severely cost burdened.

What federal laws protect people with disabilities in housing?

The Fair Housing Act bans housing discrimination based on disability and requires reasonable accommodations and modifications. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act covers housing that receives federal funding, and the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to public housing programs and public areas such as rental offices.

What is a reasonable accommodation in housing?

A reasonable accommodation is a change to a rule, policy, or practice that allows a person with a disability equal use of their home. Examples include allowing an assistance animal in a no pets building or assigning an accessible parking space closer to a unit.

Who pays for accessibility modifications in a rental unit?

Under the Fair Housing Act, tenants in most private housing may make reasonable modifications at their own expense, though landlords cannot refuse permission without cause. In housing that receives federal funding, the housing provider is usually responsible for the cost unless it creates an undue financial burden.

How do Housing Choice Vouchers help people with disabilities?

Housing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8, help low income households pay rent in the private market. Some vouchers, such as Mainstream Vouchers, are set aside for non-elderly people with disabilities, including those moving out of institutions or at risk of homelessness.

What is the difference between accessible and adaptable housing?

Accessible housing already includes features such as grab bars, lowered counters, and roll-in showers. Adaptable housing is built with basic features like wide doors and reinforced walls so it can be easily modified later to meet a specific resident's needs.

How can I file a disability housing discrimination complaint?

In the United States, you can file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity within one year of the incident. Complaints can be submitted online, by phone, or by mail, and many states also have their own fair housing agencies.

What is universal design in housing?

Universal design is an approach to building homes that are usable by people of all ages and abilities without the need for later changes. Common features include step-free entrances, lever door handles, open floor plans, and a bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Housing is where independence either takes hold or falls apart, and this NCD study makes a point that still holds up years after it was published: having accessibility laws on the books is not the same as having accessible homes people can afford. The problem is not only a shortage of money or construction but uneven compliance and missed chances to add accessible units when buildings go up or get renovated. That matters more every year as the population ages and more households need step-free entrances, wider doorways, and usable bathrooms. For renters with disabilities living on fixed incomes, a single inaccessible or unaffordable option can mean choosing between staying in the community and moving into an institution. The report's value lies in pairing hard evidence with practical examples of what has worked, giving local governments, developers, and advocates a tested starting point instead of a blank page.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by National Council on Disability and published on 19 Jan 2010, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.