Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)

Citation: Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)
Jurisdiction: Arlington (municipal)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/57214/637641171662530000 ↗

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Needs and Barriers Specific to Protected Classes
Beyond the general challenges above, interviewees discussed housing challenges experienced by specific
protected classes. It is important to keep in mind that this information is not exhaustive; just because an issue is not
mentioned by a provider does not mean a barrier doesn’t exist. Where applicable, differences between purely
anecdotal experiences and those that are more widespread from the providers’ perspective are noted. For the
purpose of this summary, challenges faced by each group are discussed in separate sections, but it is common to
be a member of multiple protected classes and many of the challenges discussed below are not mutually
exclusive.

Disability
The needs of residents with disabilities were a significant component of many interviews. Most physically
disabled residents have specific needs for their unit. In addition to a stair-free entry and a unit on the first floor
or in a building with an elevator, disabled residents often need bathrooms large enough to accommodate a

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Arlington Fair Housing Action Plan

walker, wheelchair, or home health aide. Doorways must be wide enough for a walker or wheelchair, and entry
doors, which are difficult to open when using a walker or wheelchair, must have push button entries. Some
residents require live-in care, but are only eligible for a one-bedroom apartment. To further complicate matters,
accessibility needs are not one size fits all; they vary based on the specific needs of individuals.