ESA and SD in no-pets housing at the same time?

[Spectrum]

So, lately I've been considering getting an SD a little sooner than I had planned. I had originally planned on getting one a year after I move to (hopefully) Indiana, so that I have time to find a place to live and get everything settled first. However, I've been thinking of applying pretty soon here, and hoping to get one that will be ready about the time I move (early August). This would be beneficial as it'll be the first time I'll be truly on my own - right now my parents live minutes away and my dad especially really does help me with a lot of stuff. Having an SD from the start would be great. The other thing I'm considering is if I don't get accepted to an out-of-state college for grad school, going ahead and moving out of state anyway and taking a year's break to get settled and regrouped, then hopefully have an SD before I start school again. The downfall there is moving out of state and then possibly still not getting accepted the next year, or getting accepted elsewhere and having to move again.

Anyway, if I waited a year after moving and got an SD then, I would have time to see what kind of housing in available, and getting a place that accepts pets anyway. But if I get the dog when I move up there, or shortly after, I won't know what kind of housing is available. I'd love to have a little house with a small yard, or a duplex or something, but in all reality the odds of that are slim, and I'll probably end up in an apartment (I refuse to live on campus, unless it's the only thing available, and then I wouldn't try to fit 2 big dogs in a dorm room or studio - I'd have to put off getting the SD unless I could get at least a 1 bedroom apartment on campus). My question is (after rambling forever), is having both an SD and an ESA in no-pets housing still considered "reasonable accommodations"? Of course whatever I decide, I'll try to find dog-friendly housing first, if nothing else but to avoid the hassle, but like I said there's no guarantee that will be available.

If I apply now, it's possible that a dog may be ready for me next year. One place I asked about when I first started looking into programs offered me a dog that would be ready in about 6 months from the time I asked. Of course it could the other way and even if I apply now it might be a couple years before I get an SD. I'm going to try to put most of my earnings from my new job into an account to save for an SD, but once I know where I'm getting the dog from I can actually start fundraising too. Add in my student aid, and $5000 for a dog isn't so unreachable in a year.

Just thinking over my options again.

[Roxie]

is having both an SD and an ESA in no-pets housing still considered "reasonable accommodations"?

Yes. You have to submit a request in writing, and submit your Dr.'s prescription or letter ordering them to help with your disability.

Roxie

[Roxie]

I have always had both. When it was challenged under USDA - Rural Development both dogs were allowed, and also when it was challenged under HUD Section 8.

Also,I am going through that now, as I found a small fantastic 1 bedroom cottage Section 8 will cover. I'm moving (again) the first week of August. Fortunately, the landlord is with the police dept, and bending over backwards for me so far with modifications and my dogs. So my request and documentation is a formality in case she someday forgets she said "OK".

Roxie

[Kirsten]

It isn't clear cut.  I've seen it go both ways.  The real issue is whether you're prepared for a battle or whether you're prepared to move elsewhere.

For some landlords, all they want is some sort of way to justify it for you and not for other renters.  If that's the case, we can easily help you build up a case.  Whether it would hold up in court is a 50/50 proposition.  I've helped a number of people push the ESA issue successfully.  My experience so far has been that most landlords fit into this category.  They're willing to make some exceptions, especially when you can document that you and your animals will not be a problem for them.  A pet resume helps.  Your background with the vet clinic helps.  A recommendation letter from the vet would help.  A statement from your current landlord, that your ESA was not destructive and that you were responsible about scooping would help.

Having the ESA before you get the SD and before you apply for housing actually strengthens your position.  You can show how you have a long term relationship with the ESA and include medical documentation of the importance for this animals continued presence in your home.  Once a relationship is well established it is harder to talk about breaking it because of the clearly negative health effects.  If the ESA is first, you can show this long term relationship cannot be replaced by emotional support from the SD, whereas asking for an ESA after you move in and after you have an SD wouldn't be nearly as strong because of the lack of long term relationship.

As always, I highly recommend not fighting on a housing case.  I've interviewed several who have and they indicated it was the absolute worst experience of their lives and they would never do it again.  I think for a person who is already struggling to function with a brain disorder is likely to suffer a dangerous level of stress with this kind of case.  You cannot easily escape your home, not like you can leave a restaurant and fight later.  Your best option is always to look for a landlord who is willing to accept pets or is willing to negotiate.  Key word being willing.  When you bully someone into something, they go out of their way to make things unpleasant and find fault in other areas so they can be rid of you.  So always approach negotiations politely and without threats of litigation, and be willing to walk away if that's what you need to take good care of yourself.

[Spectrum]

Thanks for the input ^.^  I can vouch for not wanting to live somewhere that's not fully welcoming. I don't feel welcome where I live right now, and can't wait to move (I'm moving the first of August too, yay!), even though in this case the dog isn't the issue at all. I feel very fortunate that my ESA was accepted without any problem at all into the first place I looked into.

Another reason I was originally looking at waiting to even apply until I was moved out of state was that I wasn't sure how my family would react, given that at the time my parent's hadn't even accepted my diagnosis yet. But now that's taken care of, and both my brothers as well as my dad know that Gavroche is now an ESA and I'll be moving into no-pets housing next month. My dad and I openly discuss the training and SDs, and he has hinted at training an SD (primarily as a hearing dog) for himself when he has time to do so. I haven't told him about my plan to get an SD yet, but we'll get there.

The other reason getting an SD about the same time I move is the whole team training and having to take off from work/school to do it. At that point, I will have left both my jobs, and school will not have started yet, so I wouldn't be missing out on work or school. Presumably I will find a job shortly after I move (at the very least, teaching undergrad classes) and so team training a year after I'm there might be a problem with work.