HUD PROVIDES NEW GUIDANCE BY KIMBERLY A. BIELAN, ESQ. ON JAN. 28, 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new standards for "Assessing a Person's Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act" (Assistance Animals Notice or Notice). The Notice, which is described as "explain[ing] certain obligations of housing providers under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) with respect to animals that individuals with disabilities may request as reasonable accommodations," is welcome guidance for property managers and condominium boards that have been frequently called upon to assess whether to grant a reasonable accommodation to a no-pet or similar policy. Assistance Anima 50 CONDOMEDIA May 2020