24 C.F.R. § 8.33
§ 8.33 Housing adjustments. (24 CFR Part 8)
Operative Text
A recipient shall modify its housing policies and practices to ensure that these policies and practices do not discriminate, on the basis of handicap, against a qualified individual with handicaps. The recipient may not impose upon individuals with handicaps other policies, such as the prohibition of assistive devices, auxiliary alarms, or guides in housing facilities, that have the effect of limiting the participation of tenants with handicaps in the recipient's federally assisted housing program or activity in violation of this part. Housing policies that the recipient can demonstrate are essential to the housing program or activity will not be regarded as discriminatory within the meaning of this section if modifications to them would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the program or activity or undue financial and administrative burdens.
Under 24 CFR Part 8 § 8.33, recipients of federal housing assistance must review and adjust their housing policies so that those policies do not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Rules that effectively bar assistive devices, auxiliary alarms, or service animals from housing facilities are specifically called out as impermissible. A narrow exception exists for policies a recipient can show are truly essential to the program, where making changes would fundamentally alter the program or impose undue financial and administrative burdens.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of federally assisted housing covered by 24 CFR Part 8 § 8.33 generally review their written policies and day-to-day practices to confirm they do not single out or disadvantage tenants with disabilities. Compliant operators typically permit assistive devices, auxiliary alarms, and guide or service animals rather than applying blanket prohibitions. When a policy is claimed as essential to the program, operators document why modifications would cause a fundamental alteration or undue burden before relying on that exception.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 24 CFR Part 8 § 8.33, tenants with disabilities in federally assisted housing have a right to be free from policies that effectively exclude them from full participation, including bans on assistive devices, auxiliary alarms, or guides. If a housing provider's policy appears to violate this provision, tenants can raise the issue with the housing provider directly, file a complaint with HUD, or contact a local tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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