Fair Housing Act Requirement 7: Approaches to Appliances in Kitchens

Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Training Event

DATE: Tuesday, June 2, 2026

TIMES: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Eastern Time) – OR – 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Eastern Time)

Description:

This 90-minute Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST (FHAF) training provides a focused examination of the maneuvering and clear floor space requirements for kitchen appliances under Requirement 7 of the Fair Housing Act.

Whether working with spacious open kitchens or narrow U-shaped layouts, participants will learn the technical criteria that guide appliance approaches, clearances between opposing elements, and the relationship between circulation space and overall usability. The session covers the dimensional standards that apply to ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other appliances, as well as clear floor space considerations for pantries and enclosed kitchen configurations.

Practical examples and sample floor plans help illustrate how compliant appliance approaches can be integrated into a variety of kitchen designs.

An accessibility expert, Eric Contreras, will be available during the dedicated Q&A portion to answer design and construction accessibility questions.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

identify the technical criteria to design maneuvering space in FHA-compliant kitchens,
identify the history and protections of the Fair Housing Act (FHA),
understand the importance of selecting the appropriate kitchen design,
define clear floor space,
identify the clear floor space required for kitchen appliances,
identify the clearance between opposing elements in a kitchen,
recognize the clear floor space required in U-shaped kitchens,
identify the clear floor space requirements for pantries, and recognize strategies to increase kitchen accessibility,
identify examples of floor plans for FHA-compliant kitchens.

This training offers:

one hour of focused training on the Fair Housing Act
knowledge checks to strengthen memory and understanding
30+ minute live Q&A session with accessibility expert Eric Contreras
a download of all webinar materials in the participant workbook.

The 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Eastern Time) training session includes ASL interpreters.

Who Should Attend?

Architects and Designers
Contractors
Civil Engineers and Landscape Architects
Developers and Builders
Disability and Housing Advocates
Other Individuals interested in Fair Housing Accessibility

Note: This 90-minute training with be offered twice on June 2, 2026. Both sessions will include the same information.

Training Dates & Times:

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Eastern Time

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern Time

The 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Eastern Time) training session includes ASL interpreters.

Format: Webinar using Zoom platform

Cost: Free

Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Training Calendar

Web: hud.gov/hud-partners/accessibility-first-training