FALLS CHURCH, VA — The International Code Council (ICC) has been awarded an $891,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to perform work under the HUD’s “Fair Housing Initiatives Program Education and Outreach, Model Codes Partnership Component.” The grant is designed to help communities ensure that more apartments and condominiums are built to be accessible to people with disabilities. The grant will also provide a program meant to educate housing industry providers, builders, contractors, realtors, and others on the Fair Housing Act and its guidelines.

The Fair Housing Act requires public and common areas, including apart-ments and condominiums, to be accessible to persons with dis-abilities. Guidelines address many aspects of construction, including door and hallway widths, location of light switches, thermostats, and environmental controls.

ICC is providing the educational program in a collaborative partnership with the National Organization on Disabilities (NOD) and with the support of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB).