Federal Bans Housing For Deaf Seniors

The U.S. Federal government builds housing bans for Deaf seniors.

TEMPE, Arizona -- The United States government has three important functions. Collecting taxpayer money, building housing for Deaf seniors and making housing for Deaf seniors illegal.

his is a true story of how the government fulfilled two of its main functions at the same time by building and banning housing for Deaf seniors.

Arizona is defying a federal order to eliminate apartments for Deaf seniors at a housing complex built specifically for the Deaf.

A 2005 federal study found that the U.S. had virtually no affordable housing for the Deaf. So the federal government helped build Apache ASL Trails, a 75-unit apartment building in Tempe, Arizona., designed specifically for the Deaf. Ninety-percent of the units are currently occupied by Deaf and Deaf-Blind seniors.

But now, the federal The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says Apache ASL Trails violates civil rights law because it shows a preference for the hearing-impaired.

HUD is threatening to pull all federal housing aid to Arizona unless it limits the number of hearing-impaired residents to 18 people.

However, when HUD approved and helped fund the project in 2008, it did so knowing that the property was specifically “designed for seniors who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind.”... Read The Fully Story.

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Related: Apache ASL Trails Residents Worry Feds Will Evict Them

Apache ASL Trails Residents Worry Feds Will Evict Them

Apache ASL Trails residents Worry Federal will evict seniors.

TEMPE, Arizona -- Apache ASL Trails residents worry feds will evict them. It's a one of kind award winning Valley community making a big difference in the lives of the disabled.

But now, some residents of the Apache ASL Trails senior living complex in Tempe, Arizona are worried that the federal government will soon ask them to move out.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development claims that Apache ASL Trails is violating the Fair Housing Act by having too many Deaf people in the same complex.

The complex is accused of discriminating against other disabled and non-disabled people by not giving them an equal shot to live there.

The unique 75-unit facility which opened last year has received national recognition as one of the country's best special-needs housing projects. Each room is specially designed to help Deaf residents. Strobe lights and visual cues are built in everywhere, including door bells and fire alarms.

Property Manager Linda Russell told CBS5 that they don't discriminate against anyone, but now, a number of residents are worried the federal government will force them to move out... Read The Full Story.

Deaf Residents Worry Feds Will Evict Them

Apache ASL Trails residents Worry Federal will evict seniors.

TEMPE, Arizona -- Apache ASL Trails residents worry feds will evict them. It's a one of kind award winning Valley community making a big difference in the lives of the disabled.

But now, some residents of the Apache ASL Trails senior living complex in Tempe, Arizona are worried that the federal government will soon ask them to move out.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development claims that Apache ASL Trails is violating the Fair Housing Act by having too many Deaf people in the same complex.

The complex is accused of discriminating against other disabled and non-disabled people by not giving them an equal shot to live there.

The unique 75-unit facility which opened last year has received national recognition as one of the country's best special-needs housing projects. Each room is specially designed to help Deaf residents. Strobe lights and visual cues are built in everywhere, including door bells and fire alarms.

Property Manager Linda Russell told CBS5 that they don't discriminate against anyone, but now, a number of residents are worried the federal government will force them to move out... Read The Full Story.