HUD Recognizes 2003 Building Code

WASHINGTON, DC-The US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity concluded in a recently released report that certain accessibility provisions within the International Code Council’s International Building Code, 2003 edition, are in line with accessibility requirements mandated by the Fair Housing Act, the regulations implementing the 1988 Amendments to the Act, and the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines. The decision, which comes six months after HUD completed its initial review, allows the agency to recognize 2003 IBC as a safe harbor for compliance with the law; a fact that sits well with many housing associations.

“This is a huge victory for multifamily builders, HUD and the disabled community,” Jerry Howard, NAHB CEO and executive vice president, notes. “The best way to assure compliance with accessibility requirements and to increase the amount of accessible multifamily housing available is to incorporate the guidelines into state and local building codes. This current endorsement, like its predecessor in 2000, will play an important role in increasing the nation’s inventory of accessible housing and assuring that anyone who wants an accessible home can find one.”