Assistance Animals and Service Animals Under the FHA and the ADA - Iowa Civil Rights Commission April 2017

Oct 6, 2026

Training material explaining how the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) apply to assistance animals and service animals. It outlines prohibited disability-based housing discrimination, identifies who is covered, and defines reasonable accommodation as changes or waivers needed to provide equal use and enjoyment of dwellings. It distinguishes assistance animals from related terms to avoid confusion with ADA definitions and highlights a common “no animal” policy waiver scenario.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages64

Reading Time2 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Objectives

Objectives - Restated

Assistance Animals and Service Animals

Assistance Animals Under the Fair Housing Act

Discrimination Prohibited in Housing

Reasonable Accommodation

Definition of Assistance Animals

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS AND SERVICE ANIMALS UNDER THE FHA AND THE ADA Iowa Civil Rights Commission April 2017 OBJECTIVES 􀂃To know law and background of the FHA and assistance animals. 􀂃To know law and background of the ADA provisions of public accommodations and service animals. 􀂃To understand and apply the ADA and FHA to situations where both laws may be applicable. OBJECTIVES – RESTATED So many names . . .So little time . . . 􀂃Service dogs 􀂃Assistance animals 􀂃Therapy animals 􀂃Companion animals ASSISTANCE ANIMALS AND SERVICE ANIMALS I. ASSISTANCE ANIMALS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT Discrimination based on disability is prohibited in housing: 􀂃Terms, conditions, or privileges 􀂃Of sale or rental of a dwelling 􀂃Or provision of services or facilities . . . I. ASSISTANCE ANIMALS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT . . . Because of the disability of any of the of the following persons: (1)That person. (2)A person residing in or intending to reside in the dwelling. (3) A person associated with that person. I. ASSISTANCE ANIMALS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT What is reasonable accommodation? Changes or waiver of rules, policies, practices or services when the accommodation is necessary to afford the person the equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. I. ASSISTANCE ANIMALS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT Most common example: Person with a disability requests a waiver of the “no animal” policy because the person has an assistance animal. I. ASSISTANCE ANIMALS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT “Assistance animals are sometimes referred to as ‘service animals,’ ‘assistive animals,’‘support animals,’ or ‘therapy animals.’ To avoid confusion with the revised ADA‘service animal’ definition . . . or any other standard, we use the term ‘assistance animal’ to ensure that housing providers have a clear understanding of their obligations under the FHAct and Section 504 .” Service Animals and Assistance Animals for People with Disabilities in Housing and HUDFunded Programs , F HEO Notice: F HEO-2 01 3-01 , April 2 5 , 2 01 3 , footnote 4 . I. ASSISTANCE ANIMALS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT Definition of Assistance Animals 􀂃Works , provides assistance or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability 􀂃Provides emotional support that alleviates symptom or effect of disability

FAQs

What housing discrimination is prohibited under the FHA for people with disabilities?

Discrimination based on disability is prohibited in housing regarding terms, conditions, privileges, the sale or rental of a dwelling, and the provision of services or facilities.

What does “reasonable accommodation” mean in this context?

Reasonable accommodation is a change or waiver of rules, policies, practices, or services when the accommodation is necessary to afford the person with equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

How does the presentation define assistance animals under the FHA?

Assistance animals work, provide assistance, or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, and they may also provide emotional support that alleviates symptoms or effects of the disability.

Oct 6, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery