55+ Housing

Federal Register 24 CFR Part 100; section 760.24-760.37 (4a), Florida Statutes

For a community to be considered "housing for older persons" as a 55+ community, the housing must be intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older and meet the following requirements:

1. At least 80% of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
2. The facility or community publishes and adheres to policies and procedures that demonstrate its intent to in fact be a provider of housing for older persons.
3. The facility or community complies with rules established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for verification of occupancy.

A facility or community that meets at least one of the above requirements must register with the Florida Commission on Human Relations by sending a letter to the Commission to register as a facility for older persons.

The letter must be on the letterhead of the facility or community, and it must be signed by the president of the facility or community and mailed to the Commission (mailing address).

A fee of $20.00 is required and must be submitted with the letter. A check, money order or cashiers check will be accepted and must be made payable to: THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS.

It generally takes 7-10 business days from the Commission’s date of receipt for the check to clear and for the information to appear in the 55+ directory on the website.

FCHR ACCEPTS REGISTRATIONS AS A PROVIDER OF HOUSING FOR OLDER PERSONS UNDER THE FEDERAL OR FLORIDA FAIR HOUSING ACT BASED SOLELY ON THE WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS OF THE REGISTRANT. FCHR HAS NOT INDEPENDENTLY DETERMINED WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IN FACT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW.

A fine in the amount of $500 will be assessed against any facility or community that knowingly submits false information in meeting these requirements.

Note for Management Companies:

The Commission has received several checks from management companies that are proposing to represent 55+ communities. These management companies are submitting payment on behalf of the 55+ communities, but are using their own addresses and contact information instead of the community contact information.

Please remember that the 55+ housing relationship is between the Commission and the housing community. It is essential that the address and contact information provided is for the community, not the management company. This will expedite matters and simplify the process for everyone.

To ensure your record of receipt, we recommend that you send your registration via certified mail.

IMPORTANT: Once you are registered, you will be issued an account identification number. Please remember to add this number to renewal checks and all renewal documentation.

Sample Registration Letter

To renew your community's status as a 55+ community:

1. Make sure the community is registered by checking the directory of registered 55+ communities.
2. Confirm the renewal date.
3. Download, complete and print the renewal form by clicking the renewal form. When mailing the renewal letter, please also enclose the $20.00 fee. A check, money order or cashiers check will be accepted and must be made payable to: THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS.

The community renewal period will always begin on the date of the original registration. If the community renews late, then it will not be recognized as a registered 55+ community by FCHR for the period that the registration lapsed. FCHR will send a renewal notice 30 days prior to your renewal date. You may wait until you receive the renewal notice or you may complete the form available through the link.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE REMEMBER TO ADD YOUR ACCOUNT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO YOUR PAYMENT AND TO ALL DOCUMENTATION.

It generally takes 7-10 business days from the Commission’s date of receipt for the check to clear and for the information to appear in the 55+ directory on the website.