Writing Support Letters
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing, both public and private, on the basis of disability. One potential type of prohibited discrimination under this Act is a refusal to provide a reasonable accommodation or modification to a person with a disability. A medical professional or a therapeutic provider may need to write a letter that proves a disability or a verification of a disability-related need for a person with a disability. For more information, download our Fair Housing for Medical and Mental Health Professionals Booklet.
A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
A change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service that may be necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces.
A structural change made to existing premises, occupied or to be occupied by a person with a disability, in order to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises.
A Medical Professional or Therapeutic Provider’s Role
A person with a disability may be asked to provide proof of their disability and/or verification of a disability-related need when requesting a reasonable accommodation or modification from their housing provider. A medical or therapeutic provider’s role is to provide brief documentation that establishes:
- The client has a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act (see below) AND
- The client’s disability-related need for the requested accommodation or modification
Housing providers and landlords do not need to know the details related to the disability, the client’s diagnosis, or their health history; only that a disability is present and that their request is needed because of that disability.
When providing documentation to help advocate for the client’s well-being, words such as “necessary”, “essential”, and “prescribed” should be used to describe the client’s need for a reasonable accommodation or reasonable modification.
Support letters should accomplish the following three things:
- Verify that the person meets the Fair Housing Act’s definition of disability (need not mention specific diagnosis, but must be clear that the person’s condition rises to the level of a disability)
- Show the relationship between the person’s disability and the need for the requested accommodation/modification (words such as “necessary”, “essential”, or “prescribed” should be used to describe the client’s need)
- Be written by a doctor or other medical professional, a peer support group, a non-medical service agency, or a reliable third party who is in a position to know about the individual’s disability
Sample Support Letter
Date
Dear [Housing Provider]:
[Name of client] is my client/patient, and has been under my care since [date]. I am familiar with his/her history and disability-related functional limitations. She/he meets the definition of disability under the fair housing laws.
To enhance his/her ability to live independently and to have full use and enjoyment of his/her dwelling, I am prescribing/recommending [insert need].
Example
- A transfer to a first floor unit.
- An emotional support dog, cat, bird, etc. (be as specific as possible about the kind of animal(s) needed and mention if the patient has the animal(s) already) that will assist [name of client] with the functional limitations associated with his/her disability.
Specifically, [please provide information demonstrating how the accommodation is needed or necessary to alleviate one or more identified symptoms or effects of an existing disability or how the disability will be exacerbated in the absence of the accommodation]
Example
- The tenant has increasing difficulty climbing stairs due to a disability and needs a first floor unit to ensure health and safety AND/OR reduce stress on mobility limitations AND/OR have safer and increased access to laundry facilities AND/OR have safe egress options in event of emergency, etc.
- The emotional support animal (dog, cat, bird, etc.) is necessary to ease disability-related stress and anxiety OR decrease heart rate OR ameliorate or reduce likelihood of panic episode OR increase capacity for social interaction OR allow for continued health and stability OR increase focus necessary for positive school or work performance OR improve physical, emotional and psychological functioning, etc.
I am available to answer questions you may have concerning my verification of (name of client)’s request.
Sincerely,
[Signature and Name of Professional]
The FHC Can Help
If you have any questions about writing support letters or about the services offered by the FHC, call us at 1-877-979-FAIR. You can also fill out a contact form.
