According to the terms of the agreement, the BHA will make 5% of its housing stock--approximately 13,800 units--fully accessible to those with mobility impairments. The structural modifications necessary for this commitment need to begin by this July and be completed by the end of December 2005.

The BHA will also need to make information regarding its new programs accessible to those with disabilities and enhance its process for assigning vacant units to "further assure that families needing those features occupy units with accessibility features." Consultation with advocates of the disabled will also need to be improved and vacancies will be referred to a statewide registry of accessible housing. Training to key staff on the provisions of the agreement as well as on compliance with disability laws will also be required.

The agreement stems from a BHA review HUD began nearly two years ago over possible violations of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination against the disabled. A needs assessment conducted by the BHA indicates an overall need of 3.8% of units be accessible in the City of Boston and 4.8% in the Greater Boston area, an amount slightly under the agreement's 5% requirement. According to the BHA, it has about 300 units fully accessible toward the goal of 690.