HUD, DOJ Scrap Rule Tied to $112 Million in Retrofits, Capping Housing Claims at 2 Years
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 1
HUD, DOJ Scrap Rule Tied to $112 Million in Retrofits, Capping Housing Claims at 2 Years
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 1
Summary
HUD and the Justice Department revoked Obama-era guidance that had let accessibility complaints over original design flaws expose later property owners to liability years after construction.
The new framework starts the clock at a building’s certificate of occupancy, giving advocacy groups 1 year to file with HUD and private plaintiffs 2 years to sue in federal court.
HUD said the old policy drove more than $112 million in accessibility retrofits over five years to secure FHA refinancing, while one lender linked it to over $1 billion in lost HUD-insured loan volume.
Officials argued the 2013 guidance conflicted with the Fair Housing Act’s statutory deadlines and appellate rulings, while preserving tenants’ ability to seek reasonable modifications for individual needs.