Fair Housing Month: A Quick Refresher on Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications
April is Fair Housing Month, making it the perfect time to refresh our understanding of reasonable accommodations and modifications. These requests play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to housing. It’s essential to recognize and respond appropriately to these requests.
Understanding Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications
A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules, policies, or services that enables a person with a disability to fully use and enjoy their home. Examples include:
- Allowing an assistive animal, even in a pet-free community (managed through PetScreening)
- Approving a live-in aide
- Reserving a parking space closer to the resident’s home
- Granting a unit transfer to a more accessible apartment
A reasonable modification, on the other hand, involves physical changes to the dwelling to improve accessibility. Examples include:
- Installing an accessible ramp
- Adding grab bars in the bathroom
- Modifying a tub into a walk-in shower
- Removing carpet for easier mobility
How to Identify a Request
Residents may not use legal or industry-specific terms when making a request. They might simply mention a need, such as difficulty walking long distances or requiring an easier way to enter their home. This is where active listening becomes critical.
For example, if a resident states, “I have arthritis, and it’s hard for me to walk from my parking spot,” they may not explicitly ask for a reasonable accommodation, but this statement could indicate a need for one.
The Right Response
When a resident makes a request related to a disability, staff should ask, “Are you making this request based on a disability?” This question helps clarify the situation and determine the appropriate next steps.
DO NOT ASK what the disability is. If the resident confirms their request is disability-related, staff can provide the reasonable accommodation request form and guide them through the process.
Maintaining Good Communication
Open and clear communication is key throughout this process. Staff should ensure residents feel heard, understand the steps involved, and receive timely updates. By handling requests with professionalism and empathy, we uphold the principles of Fair Housing and create inclusive communities for all.
For further education, take a moment to watch this training video: Reasonable Accommodation / Modification: Active Listening. Read the whole article HERE.
Let’s continue fostering fair and accessible housing for everyone!
RAMP Maintenance Launches in Central Florida
Kickoff Event Held at Aida Palms
Royal American Management proudly kicked off the Central Florida launch of the Rising Apartment Maintenance Professionals (RAMP) – Maintenance Track on March 6 at Aida Palms Apartments in Lakeland, FL.
This free, hands-on workforce development program is open to residents of RAM-managed communities and offers a direct path into the multifamily housing industry. Attendees learned about the program, asked questions, and completed participation applications during the event.
Spanning 195+ hours, RAMP Maintenance equips participants with the skills needed for entry-level roles such as Maintenance Technician—or Maintenance Supervisor for those with experience. The program includes online training, job shadowing, hands-on instruction, and a paid internship. Each participant is also matched with a RAM maintenance mentor for personalized support.
Graduates receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to apply for positions within RAM or other multifamily communities.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our employees who have stayed with us through the years. We appreciate you and all that you contribute to our family of companies.
5 Year Anniversary
- Jennifer Jarvis with Southern Coastal Homes; General Manager
- Michelle Brown with Southern Villas of Starke; Community Manager
- Marchell Hawk with Christine Cove; Community Manager
- Adrian Joyner with Christine Cove; Maintenance Supervisor
- Ricardo Garcia with Country Walk; Area Manager
- Stephanie McCrory with Magnolia Crossing; Area Manager
- Patty Wooten with Quiet Waters; Case Manager
- Denia Guevara with Singer Plaza; Housekeeper
- Michel Otero with The Anchorage; Community Manager
- Monay Peterson with The Beacon; Community Manager
- Sheila Weber with Royal American Hospitality; Bar Supervisor
- Laura Long with Royal American Companies; GL Technician
- Ana Hinez with Labre Place; Housekeeper
- Alfreda Brookhart with Royal American Construction; RAC Field Administrative Assistant
- Joseph Chapman V with Royal American Management; Regional Manager
- Julio Perez with Royal American Management; Regional Maintenance Specialist
- Daniel Vico Moreno with St John Plaza; Maintenance Supervisor
- Stephanie Valencia with Villa Patricia I; Community Manager
10 Year Anniversary
- Ismael Nazario Viera with Royal American Management; Regional Manager
- Michael Williams with Briarwood I; Maintenance Technician
- Cody Brooks with Royal American Companies; IT Technician
- Frank Carballo Mesa with Lakeside Towers; Maintenance Technician
- Rafael Gonzalez with Lakeside Towers; Maintenance Technician
- Jason Provorse with Royal American Hospitality; Beverage Banquet Director
15 Year Anniversary
- Christina Maulbeck with Royal American Companies; Human Resource Manager
- Rohan Palmer with Royal American Hospitality; Banquet Manager
- Josef Halamka with Royal American Hospitality; Hotel Maintenance Technician
- Christopher Robertson with Royal American Hospitality; VP Administrative Assistant
- Scott Hawkins with Southern Coastal Homes; Carpenter
- Dianne Creary with Royal American Hospitality; Banquet Server
30 Year Anniversary
- Mecca Humphryes with Royal American Hospitality; Maintenance Administrative Assistant
35 Year Anniversary
- Janice Miller with Willows I; Community Manager
