50+ Housing Council Publishes Fair Housing Pocket Guide

Fair housing can stump even the most experienced developer, and it gets even more complicated when builders are seeking to age-restrict a community. That’s why the 50+ Housing Council, in conjunction with NAHB’s legal staff, have published the Fair Housing Pocket Guide: Understanding the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) Exemption – an exclusive, new benefit for Council members.

The guide explains the federal Fair Housing Act and the FHA Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) Exemption that was adopted in 1995 to clarify the exemption and make it easier to qualify. In addition to showing builders how they can qualify for the 62+ or 55+ exemption, the Fair Housing Pocket Guide includes the following:

• The 80% occupancy requirement
• Community policies and procedures, including HUD regulations and how the courts enforce them
• How to determine occupancy and verify the data for HUD
• How to claim the state or federal program exemption

The Fair Housing Pocket Guide also includes Q-and-A sections that address common questions that many builders and developers have regarding age-restriction.

“With the market growing and more builders building age-restricted communities, it’s important to educate them about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act and HOPA,” said Norman Cohen, an Atlanta, GA-based builder and 2006 chairman of the NAHB 50+ Housing Council.  “The 50+ Housing Council is committed to providing members with information that will help them qualify for the HOPA exemption, understand what the law says, and be successful.”

The Fair Housing Pocket Guide is available to 50+ Housing Council members at www.nahb.org/50plus in the Resources section. For more information or to receive a complimentary copy, contact the NAHB 50+ Housing Council at 800-368-5242 x8220 or 50plushousingcouncil@nahb.com. [Return to top]