What documentation is needed for the DASS Housing Application Process?
You must provide supporting documentation to verify the need for your housing request. Applications without supporting documentation will be put on hold until documentation is provided.
An example of supporting documentation would be submitting a letter on a office letterhead from a licensed professional (physician, psychologist, etc.) containing the following information:
- Your diagnosis
- Identification of specific functional limitations posed by this condition as it pertains to housing
- Description of the current impact of this condition as it pertains to housing
- A clear description of the reasonable housing adaptation or accommodation
- An indication of the level of need for the requested housing adaptation or accommodation
Students Without Documentation of a Disability:
If you do not have documentation from a licensed professional, you can submit a Self-Report Form (PDF, 664KB). The self-report form and an interactive process between the student & DASS counselor are considered for disability types that are self-evident, however, depending on the nature of the disability, it is typically necessary for students to provide additional documentation from a licensed professional.
Documentation for Private Bedroom Requests:
If you are requesting a private bedroom, you are required to provide 2 pieces of documentation:
- You must provide documentation from a licensed professional verifying your need for a private bedroom in housing. Read above for descriptions of acceptable documentation.
- Your licensed professional must also complete the Addendum: Housing Accommodations Request (PDF, 222K).
Documentation for Emotional Support Animal Requests:
For emotional support animal (ESA) requests, you must provide 2 pieces of documentation:
- You must provide documentation from a licensed professional who has prescribed the emotional support animal as part of your on-going treatment plan. Read above for descriptions of acceptable documentation.
- Your licensed professional must also complete the Addendum: Request for Emotional Support Animal in Housing Form (PDF, 161K).
When submitting an addendum for an ESA, please note the following:
- It is strongly recommended that ESA requests are placed in a timely manner within the established application timeframe.
- Although an ESA request may receive approval by DASS, prior to bringing the ESA to campus, the student must first work with HRE staff to complete an addendum to the housing contract and permit sufficient time for HRE staff to provide suite-mate notification.
- An approved ESA cannot impede on the health and safety of others. In the event of documented health reasons a suite-mate cannot be housed with ESA, reassignment of room locations are at the discretion of HRE.
- All handlers approved for an ESA must comply with the City of Camarillo and County of Ventura animal regulations, must be housebroken and have controlled behavior prior to campus arrival. Disruptive animal behavior may result in removal of the animal.
- An approved ESA is permitted within the HRE complex only, they are not permitted inside campus buildings. Please discuss any questions or concerns with a DASS counselor.
- For more information, please review the Policy on Service and Emotional Support Animals for Students on Campus.
Per the guidelines specifically outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
Some websites sell certificates, registrations, and licensing documents for assistance animals to anyone who answers certain questions or participates in a short interview and pays a fee. Under the Fair Housing Act, a housing provider may request reliable documentation when an individual requesting a reasonable accommodation has a disability and disability-related need for an accommodation that are not obvious or otherwise known. In HUD’s experience, such documentation from the internet is not, by itself, sufficient to reliably establish that an individual has a non-observable disability or disability-related need for an assistance animal.
You can review the full content of the HUD guidelines on their website:HUD Assessing a Person’s Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act