Housing Accommodations Request

A Service Animal, as defined by the ADA, is an animal trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. Animals providing only comfort or emotional support are not service animals under the ADA.  

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) provides emotional support or comfort that alleviates symptoms of a person's disability, as defined by the Fair Housing Act. They do not require individual training and can be animals other than dogs. However, students must complete an application and submit supporting documentation:  

https://studentaffairs.howard.edu/Accessibility.  

Campus Apartments is one of the nation’s largest providers of both on and off campus student housing and has partnered with Howard University to enhance the college living experience. However, Campus Apartments is not directly involved in the determination of housing accommodations. 

The Office of Student Accessibility works closely with the Office of Residence Life to assess available housing options and determine what accommodations are reasonable within the university’s housing portfolio. 

Living in a residential community is a key component of the college experience. As part of this experience, students should expect varying levels of noise, activity, and interaction with peers. Due to shared spaces, resources, and the number of individuals living in each building, it is often challenging to provide entirely quiet or private environments for living and studying. 

When reviewing housing accommodation requests, we will consider your specific needs, but we must also explore alternative solutions to single-room assignments. Single-room accommodations are generally provided only when significant barriers to access are identified that would otherwise make your living experience inequitable. Please note that there is limited availability of single rooms, and as such, we may not be able to fulfill every request for such accommodation.  

No. Housing Accommodations are different from academic accommodations. To apply for academic accommodations please apply via The Office of Student Accessibility's website:  https://studentaffairs.howard.edu/Accessibility.  

No. The Office of Student Accessibility performs an individualized assessment on all requests for accomodations on a case-by-case basis. Accommodation approval depends on the documentation provided, the availability of suitable housing, if there is a hardship placed on the Unviersity, and the specific needs of the student. While we strive to meet all requests, some accommodations may require adjustments based on university policies and availability.  

Yes, students with temporary medical conditions or injuries can request housing accommodations. Documentation of the temporary condition from a healthcare provider is required, and accommodation will be arranged as necessary. The OSA will determine the duration and type of accommodation based on the student's specific needs.  

If you find that your housing accommodations are not meeting your needs, or if your condition changes, please contact the OSA immediately. You may need to provide updated documentation, and the OSA will work with the Office of Residence Life to make any necessary adjustments. Prompt communication is key to ensuring your needs are met. Additionally, please note, we cannot consider your housing preferences when we provide medical transfers. If you need a medical transfer, we will relocate you to any available accessible location.  

If your housing accommodation request is denied, you will be notified in writing by the Office of Student Accessibility. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process involves submitting additional documentation or providing further context to support your request in writing to the Director of Student Services. The OSA can guide you through the appeal process. (See OSA webpage for more details)   

While requests for accommodations will be considered after the priority deadline, the accommodation cannot be guaranteed to be met if a request was not received by the deadline.  

An accommodation does not guarantee a housing assignment. The option to use a housing accommodation only comes into play if housing is available and secured.

Yes. Each academic year or housing cycle, all students requesting an accommodation must complete the process. This is in contrast to an academic accommodation that are required to be applied for on a semester-by-semester basis. There are many reasons why students may need housing accommodations one year and do not need them the next year (e.g., student is taking leave, studying abroad, or requesting accommodation for a disability that is temporary), it is important to complete the online housing accommodation request form for each academic year or housing cycle.  

If your food allergies substantially limit a major life activity, you may qualify for accommodations through our office. We can work with you to explore reasonable accommodations related to housing, dining, and classroom environments. 

 Campus Dining Services: 

If you have any questions or concerns about food allergies or dietary restrictions, we also encourage you to reach out to Meron Zafu, RDN, LDN, our on-campus Dietitian Nutritionist. Meron can provide expert guidance on navigating food options and resources available at Howard University, ensuring that your dietary needs are met safely. 

Contact Meron: Email: meron.zafu@sodexo.com, Direct: (202) 701-7969 
Location: Sodexo at Howard University, 2397 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20059 

Howard University offers several quiet study spaces across campus, such as in Founders Library, Rankin Chapel, and other academic buildings. These spaces are available to all students as resources for focused study, but they are not formal accommodations. While they are intended to be quiet, keep in mind that since they are shared spaces, there may be some noise, especially if others are using the space at the same time.