Ensuring that affordable housing is accessible to people with disabilities requires more than constructing accessible units or adopting accessibility policies. It requires creating systems and procedures to identify residents' needs, matching those needs with available housing, supporting property staff, and monitoring implementation over time.
Drawing on more than five years of experience supporting the City of Los Angeles' Accessible Housing Program, Abt Global has identified nine practical insights into what helps accessible housing programs succeed. These observations are based on hundreds of compliance reviews, site visits, and interviews with property owners, managers, and residents with disabilities.
While every jurisdiction's program will differ, the implementation lessons described within this paper may be useful for cities, housing providers, and advocates seeking to strengthen accessibility in affordable housing.
Additional Resources
Housing & Community Development
APPAM Fall Research Conference 2026
Abt is a Gold Sponsor of APPAM 2026. Catch us in Boston, in our sessions and at booth 304, or connect with the team here!
Closing the Gap: Surveying LA Renters to Improve Housing Access
Abt helped HACLA collect and analyze current Los Angeles rental data, showing rents were about 12% higher than federal estimates and providing evidence to support voucher subsidy levels that better reflect local housing costs and improve access to stable housing.
23rd Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS)
Abt’s Allan Porowski and Sandra Wilson will present evidence-based insights to help move family well-being, economic mobility, and self-sufficiency forward.
The Impact of Resident Services on Property Financial Performance
The study uses a quasi-experimental design to test the hypothesis that the coordination and provision of resident services improves properties’ financial health.
Abt Global Announces Partnership with Rhino.AI to Accelerate AI Modernization Across Federal Agencies
Abt Global announced a strategic partnership with Rhino.ai, a U.S. artificial intelligence company fast gaining acclaim for its automated modernization capabilities.
Wyoming’s Plan to Promote Housing and Economic Development
Abt developed a strategic housing action plan, story map, and tool that will help Wyoming implement solutions for its housing affordability challenges.
Australian Veterans’ Care Program Evaluation
An evaluation of the Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program confirmed the program’s positive impact on participants' health and satisfaction.
Shelter from the Storm: Addressing the Dual Crisis of Extreme Weather and Homelessness
Homeless response systems need support to strengthen their resilience to extreme weather shocks and the disproportionate harm that extreme weather has on people experiencing homelessness.
Understanding Homeless Encampments in Long Beach, L.A. River Basin, and San Fernando Valley
A Conrad N. Hilton Foundation-funded, Abt-led evaluation studied three encampments in Los Angeles.
Rental Housing Results from Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
Abt is merging databases with information on rental housing results from low-income housing tax credits to inform decision-making.
Wyoming Turns to Abt to Create Statewide Housing Plan
The State of Wyoming has turned to Abt Global to help it rapidly and effectively address its housing shortage by creating a statewide action plan.
The American Evaluation Association (AEA) Evaluation24 Conference
Abt Global is exhibiting and presenting at the American Evaluation Association (AEA) Evaluation24 Conference in October 2024.