Our recent webinar focused on practical ways states and local communities can expand affordable, accessible, and inclusive housing for people with disabilities. Speakers were Rasheedah Phillips from PolicyLink, Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi from the National Housing Law Project, Hunter Herrera-McFarland from The Kelsey, and Caroline Bas from Coalition for Elevator Reform. They outlined clear steps, that advocates, community members, and organizations can take to make change where they live.
The webinar covered four main areas: tenant protections, Public Housing Authority (PHA) policies, Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs), and zoning and land-use rules. Speakers explained how stronger tenant protections—like fair rent rules and clear eviction standards—can help people with disabilities stay in their homes. They also shared how anyone can give feedback on PHA policies to improve waitlist processes, reasonable accommodations, and access to vouchers. Additionally, we discussed how QAPs decide which affordable housing developments receive funding, and how advocates can push for more accessible units, deeper affordability, and inclusive design. Lastly, the session explored how zoning rules influence what types of housing can be built in a neighborhood, and how updating these rules can help increase the building of more accessible homes, such as buildings with elevators or small cottage communities.
Click here to view the webinar recording and here to view the transcript. Click here to view the webinar powerpoint presentation.
If you have trouble viewing or accessing the materials, please contact hello@thekelsey.org.
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