Housing Accommodations

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides reasonable housing accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. The Office of Disability Services and Housing and Residence Life (HRL) work together to ensure equal access in compliance with federal and state regulations.

Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. All requests require sufficient documentation showing how the impact of the disability necessitates the accommodation for equal access, not based on preference or perceived benefit.

Requests are subject to availability, and neither the presence of a disability nor approval for housing accommodations guarantees on-campus housing or a particular kind of space.

If an accommodation is approved, Disability Services will notify both the student and HRL.

Note that HRL, not Disability Services, is responsible for determining the specific room assignment and managing all aspects of roommate selection and assignment.

The Process

Students interested in the possibility of a housing accommodation should initiate the following 2 steps simultaneously:

  • Apply for housing through HRL (requires submission of intent to enroll and enrollment deposit first) 
  • Request a housing accommodation through the Office of Disability Services

Follow the steps below to request a housing accommodation through Disability Services:

  1. Submit Documentation: Find the required forms on our Documentation page.
  2. Review Process: Disability Services staff reviews your documentation, which typically takes about 7 business days.
  3. Next Steps: You’ll be notified via your University email about next steps. This often includes either scheduling a meeting for an interactive discussion, or providing additional documentation related to the request.

Only information about the approved accommodation is shared with HRL; your documentation is not shared and is kept by Disability Services.

Documentation Forms

All required documentation forms can be found on our Documentation page, including the following:

  • Housing Accommodations Request Form
  • Dining Accommodations Request Form
  • Guidelines and Request Form for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in On-Campus Housing

Emotional Support Animals in On-Campus Housing: Additional Information

To request an ESA, submit the Guidelines and Request Form for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in On-Campus Housing to the Office of Disability Services. This form requires completion by both the student and your current treating healthcare provider.

  • Common Household Animal Note: Due to the communal nature of on-campus living, the ESA must be an animal commonly kept in households and appropriate for communal housing. Examples of a common household animal include a dog, cat, small bird, rabbit, hamster, gerbil, fish, turtle, or other small, domesticated animal traditionally kept in the home for pleasure. Reptiles (other than turtles) are generally not considered common household animals.
  • Documentation Note: Documentation is generally not considered reliable if it is acquired from websites or professionals who have had no prior clinical relationship with you except for limited encounters. 
  • DS Approval: If approved, you must meet with a Disability Services staff member and sign the ESA Student Agreement. Only after completing this step may the ESA be approved. Once approved as an accommodation, Disability Services staff will notify Housing and Residence Life.

Please note: HRL requires additional steps that you must complete before your animal can be brought to campus.

Personal Care Attendant

If you plan to reside on campus and require the use of a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), please visit our Personal Care Attendant page for more information.

Deadlines

Housing Accommodation and ESA Requests

We strongly recommend submitting all documentation to Disability Services as soon as possible and prior to housing assignments being made.

  • Fall Semester – Submit by May 1st
  • Spring Semester – Submit by November 1st

Late Housing Requests: Requests submitted after the deadline will still be reviewed. However, options become more limited, and housing space is subject to availability. Neither the presence of a disability nor approval for housing accommodations guarantees on-campus housing or a particular kind of space.

Late ESA Requests: Requests for ESAs received less than eight (8) weeks from the last day of the final exam period for the current semester will not be considered for that semester. Those late requests can be considered for the following semester, provided the documentation remains appropriate.