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DEMYSTIFYING CALIFORNIA’S
ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS SFOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
By Christy Kim, AIA, CASp, Technical Director of Accessibility, Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
ince 1970, California has been facing projects to provide 15% units with mobility a housing shortage throughout the features and 10% units with communication state. Over the years, state and local features. “Rehab” projects must provide 10% agencies have continued to provide units with mobility features and 4% units with funding for new affordable housing stock. communication features. These units must However, a complex and stringent set of comply with the technical requirements outlined environmental, safety, and accessibility in Chapter 11(B) of the California Building Code
requirements, coupled with the increasing costs of labor (CBC) and represent an increased quantity over and construction material, has slowed down the real California Building Code requirements.
estate development pipeline more than expected.
As California’s housing gap continues to grow, federal, state, and local accessibility requirements for new developments have also gotten a lot more complicated. While specifics of accessibility compliance will vary by project, below are answers to some common accessibility questions along with guidance about where to draw the line between doing your research and hiring a consultant.
WHAT ARE SOME PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?
• The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC): The 2021 CTCAC regulations require all new construction
• Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) between the City of Los Angeles and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): This agreement is for projects located in the City of Los Angeles. When projects are rehabbed or where there is new construction, 11% of units with mobility features and 4% of units with communication features are required. These projects also include an additional review by the local government, the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), and the city-designated Neutral Accessibility Consultant (NAC).
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