Emotional Support Animals and Housing: What Ohio Renters Need to Know

By Kendall Jang, Staff Writer

Earlier this month, Ohio Animal Advocates reported on changes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) affecting how the agency handles housing complaints involving emotional support animals (ESAs).

While federal enforcement priorities have changed, the Fair Housing Act has not, and Ohio renters also have state-level protections.

Ohio Law Protects Reasonable Accommodations

Under Ohio's fair housing law, housing providers must make reasonable accommodations when necessary to give a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their home.

Ohio also uses the term “animal assistant,” broadly defined as an animal that aids a person with a disability. This is not limited to trained service dogs.

For renters, this means a “no pets” policy does not necessarily prevent someone with a disability from requesting an accommodation for an assistance animal.

Housing providers may request limited documentation when the disability-related need is not apparent, but detailed medical records are generally not necessary. Each accommodation request should be considered individually.

What About Shelters?

The rules surrounding homeless shelters are more complicated and can depend on factors such as the type of shelter, length of stay, funding and a person's right to return. Shelter providers should seek legal guidance before changing existing assistance-animal policies.

The Bottom Line

Recent federal changes do not mean emotional support animals have lost all housing protections in Ohio. State fair housing protections remain important for Ohioans with disabilities who rely on assistance animals.

Anyone with questions about their specific situation should contact a qualified fair housing organization or attorney.

Take Action

1. Looking for housing at a homeless shelter or a safe haven for your pet? Check out the organizations listed on our Statewide Directory.

2. Support unhoused people and pets across the United States by completing our action alert for the Providing for Unhoused People and Pets (PUPP) Act.

3. For more information on how to support struggling families and their pets, visit our Homeless & Low-Income Pets advocacy page.

3. Share this update and action alert with friends and family!

4. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive animal welfare related news and resources in Ohio straight to your inbox.