Making a house or apartment more accessible for an elderly or disabled client requires balancing federal or local guidelines with the needs of the particular client. Only the client can tell you his or her needs. The federal guidelines, however, come in somewhat vague form from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and its recent amendments to the Fair Hosing Act. HUD's Regulations HUD's recent amendments to the Fair Housing Act require that in new construction (any to be occupied after March 13, 1991), the following types of projects must meet certain accessibility standards: • Four or more attached, one-story townhouses or multi-story townhouses with elevators. • All units in an elevatored rental or condominium building with four or more units. •
