The state of New Jersey requires property owners to make certain that private housing developments are accessible to the physically disabled. Lazarus and state officials blamed the complete breakdown in enforcement of the law not only on the building industry, but on local building code officials as well. The builders, on the other hand, said that such widespread violations indicate the problem rests with how clearly the law is written. The law project studied only 14 condominium and housing developments in central and northern New Jersey. But Lazarus said he expected the violations were just as widespread statewide.
Nothing is accessible in private housing.
The state Department of Community Affairs has oversight of local building code enforcement officials, and can even fire them if they let too many violations slip by. Legislated, but illegal, obstacles still exist throughout the land to residences specifically for disabled persons. Litigation in this area will continue to be the only solution to overcoming those barriers. This publication in two volumes assesses the effectiveness of HUD programs in meeting the special housing needs of disabled Americans, including intensive analysis of programs, sponsors, tenants, and supportive services of 30 projects.