New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.
The purpose of this guide is to provide information for people with disabilities who are 18 to 59 years of age, and does not necessarily offer information specifically for the elderly.
New Horizons Un-limited assumes no responsibility in guaranteeing the services, programs or conditions as described. If you are interested in a resource listed below, call or contact the resource to verify the current situation. Evaluate information and make your own decisions when using this guide.
The following resources have glossarys that define general homebuying terms. In addition, there are terms that may apply to the disabled home buyer. There are Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) loan terms.
E-loan has a fairly comprehensive"Glossary" of terms A-Z under "Tools & Resources" available from the home page. This glossary is even more complete than that of Interest.com listed below.
Interest.com has a "First Time Buyer's Guide" that includes a "Comprehensive Mortgage Term Glossary" that defines common mortgage terms A-Z such as adjustable rate mortgage, annual percentage rate, closing, FHA and FNMA for the novice homebuyer.
New Horizons Un-Limited provides the following glossary that defines the terms and the options of homebuying that are specific to the disabled home buyer and their families.
Accessible
As defined by the Resna Technical Assistance Project, "accessible design generally refers to houses or other dwellings that meet specific requirements for accessibility. These requirements are found in state, local, model building codes, and the regulations of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the American National Standards Institue (ANSI) Standards A117.1-1998, and the Americans wtih Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. These regulations, guidelines, and laws dictate standard dimensions and features such as door widths, clear space for wheelchair mobility, countertop heights for sinks and kitchens, audible and visual signals, grab bars, switch and outlet height, and more."
ADAAG
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards
Adaptable Housing
As defined by Accessible Homes, adaptable housing incorporates features that meet the needs of the less able while maintaining a conventional look and feel. It avoids the appearance of an institutional surrounding, while maintaining accessible routes and fixtures. Adaptable housing is also more convenient for family members who are completely physically able. Adaptable housing is a common sense approach to home building and remodeling that considers the current and future needs of all members of the household.
Some examples of adaptable housing features include, increased doorway and hallway width, adjustable countertops and cabinetry, no steps, electrical outlets and light switches placed at more accessible heights, larger bathrooms, wall reinforcements for hand rails, and accessible baths and toilets.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
Barrier free home
Barrier free refers to a home that has no physical barriers. This includes steps, curbs or other similar structures that would present a barrier to someone in a wheelchair. Barrier free means that the home includes 32" or larger clear openings through doorways.
Fair Housing Act
As defined by IndependenceFirst, "This act prohibits discriminatory housing practices based on disability and familial status, establishes an administrative and judicial enforcement mechanism for cases where discriminatory housing practices cannot be resolved informally, and provides for monetary penalties in cases where housing discrimination is found. The Fair Housing Amendment Act also establishes design and construction requirements for certain new multi-family dwellings for first occupancy on or after March 31, 1991 (30 months after the date of enactment) and an exemption from the prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of familial status for certain housing for older persons."
Housing Counseling Agency
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds housing counseling agencies throughout the country who can give you advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgages. You can also find HUD approved housing counseling agencies on the HUD website. To contact the agency nearest to you, call 1(888)466-3487. Homeowners with problems that could result in default of their mortgage or foreclosure on their property need to contact a HUD approved housing counseling agency immediately by calling the number listed above.
Insurance
The lender is going to require some of the following insurance when you purchase a home. If the lender requires the insurance, they will probably add this to your monthly mortgage payment amount and hold the money in an escrow account. In the case of homeowner's insurance, you are responsible for acquiring the policy, reviewing the policy for adequate coverage and paying for the policy, although the lender may require you to pay the actual yearly payment from your escrow account.
Homeowner's insurance combines protection against damage to your property, house and its belongings and protects against claims of negligence or inappropriate action concerning the property that would result in someone else's injury or damage to someone else's property. The lender may ask for proof of this insurance or will collect from you during the year in your monthly mortgage payment and will put a portion of each payment for this insurance in an escrow account. This insurance is usually required by the lender to protect their investment, however, acquiring the insurance, the terms of the insurance, reviewing the terms for adequate coverage and paying for the insurance will be your responsibility.
This insurance may not be necessary and does not come standard on a homeowner's insurance policy. This insurance protects the homeowner against loss from flood, thawing and hurricanes. If the house is located on a flood plain, the lender will require this insurance before approving a loan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines flood zones on their maps.
This insurance protects the lender against loss if the borrower were unable to make their monthly payment and defaults completely on their mortgage loan. If you as borrower can only make less than 15-20% downpayment for the mortgage loan, the lender my require this insurance. The 203(k) FHA mortgage insurance program helps the homebuyer to purchase and rehabilitate a house with a single mortgage loan.
This insurance is term life insurance that diminishes over time as you pay off your mortgage. This insurance will pay off the remainder of the mortgage if you die and pay a certain number of monthly payments if you become disabled or unemployed. If you are disabled or unemployed prior to seeking mortgage pre-approval, this insurance would not be reasonable to purchase.
This insurance protects the lender against any claims that may come up about who legally owns the property. This insurance is also available for the homebuyer. A title search will check the public record to be certain the seller is the legal owner of the property and discover any liens or claims against the property. Ask your lender if this insurance will be necessary.
Personal property is usually covered from theft on your homeowner's insurance. Check the conditions under your homeowner's policy for coverage of theft of household goods. If you wish to cover your household goods during moving or storing in a self-storage facility, you may want to check out this insurance.
PHA
Public Housing Agency or Authority
Trusts
Trusts are legal financial plans that allow family members to contribute to the long-term housing needs of a disabled family member. One may be able to use trusts to facilitate homeownership for a person with disabilities. There are two different kinds of trusts: Special Needs Trusts and Pooled Trusts. For more information on trusts see the NHU Guide to Buying a Home of Your Own for People with Disabilities: Financial Options.
UFAS
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards
Universal Design
As defined by The Center for Universal Design, Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities.
Visitability
As defined by Temple University Institute on Disabilities and Resna Technical Assistance Project, Visitability is an advocacy movement proposing that when topographically feasible, basic access to all new homes is a civil right. This includes access to enhance the user-friendliness of all homes to include the needs of everyone, through wise design choices and decisions. Visitability specifically encourages: a zero-step entrance, doorway clearances of at least 36 inches, and accessible bathroom design, such as roll-in showers for a wheelchair user to enter. Visitable refers to homes that are not only accessible to guests with disabilities visiting the homes of nondisabled hosts, but to the future needs of the nondisabled residents as well.
Sources:
Center for Universal Design.
"Homeownership and Section 8 Vouchers" by Lee Schulz, Breaking Away, V22 #3, Fall 2001,
Independence First
"Independence First's Housing Services - Housing Information," Edited by Tom Jacobs, Independence First
"Making Homes Accessible: Assistive Technology and Home Modifications," Resna Technical Assistance Project.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
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