Description

• Section 504 states that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program, service, or activity receiving federal financial assistance or conducted by any Executive agency. Regarding accessible housing, HUD’s Section 504 regulations define an accessible dwelling apartment as a unit that is located on an accessible route and can be approached, entered, and used by individuals with physical disabilities. In other words, an accessible unit ensures that people with disabilities can navigate and use the space comfortably. A minimum 5% of apartments must be 504 accessible.

Baseline

• Each parking lot, building entrance, vertical transportation system, apartment entrance, kitchens, bathroom & bedroom must comply with 504 accessibility VCA/ADA standards. Vertical transportation systems must meet Usability Standards as set forth by the VCA. Strobes, CO detectors, smoke detectors, must be installed as a standard. Outlets, switches and lever handsets should be accessible height and locations. 

Stretch

• Each living unit shall have an Emergency call system which register a call (annunciator and alarm) at one or more central supervised locations, an intercommunicating telephone system connected to a switch board which is monitored 24 hours a day, or an emergency call system which sound an alarm (not be fire alarm) in the immediate corridor and automatically actuates a visual signal at the living unit entrance.

RAD Conversions

• RAD Conversions are required to comply with the December 2021 agreement entered into by NYCHA and HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (“FHEO”), intended to ensure compliance with federal accessibility requirements and standards under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (“Section 504”) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) in PACT Projects. Project teams shall comply with the specific requirements as outlined in Attachment E –PACT Accessibility Design Checklist pdf below. It includes the requirement for no less than 4% Hearing/Vision Accessible Units, and 7% Mobility Units.  

Strategies

Ensure Accessibility & Inclusion

Last Updated on January 9, 2026 at 6:02 pm

Downloads and Data

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Specifications

Attachment E – PACT Accessibility Design Checklist