Cases and Settlements

Pennsylvania Community to Pay $15,000 to Settle HUD Charges

March 27, 2012    

The owner of a Pennsylvania apartment complex recently agreed to pay $15,000 to settle claims that the development’s on-site manager discriminated against families with children. Last summer, HUD charged the owner and manager with charging families higher rent when they have children and...

Utah Community Pays to Resolve Dispute About Veteran's Assistance Animal

March 25, 2012    

Last month, the Justice Department announced a $20,000 consent decree that resolves a lawsuit alleging that a Utah condominium association and its management company violated federal fair housing law by refusing to grant a resident’s request for a reasonable accommodation.

Fair Housing Case Pulled Off Supreme Court Docket

February 22, 2012    

The U.S. Supreme Court will not review a controversial fair housing case after all. The case, highlighted in the January 2012 Fair Housing Coach, centered on disparate impact claims under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). While everyone agrees that the FHA bans intentional discrimination...

'Students Only' Rentals Nixed in Chicago-Area Community

February 21, 2012    

A company that owns and operates multifamily rental housing in Evanston, Ill., has backed away from plans to limit occupancy in one of its buildings to only Northwestern University students, according to the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs, an advocacy group that filed a...

Judge for Yourself: Resident with Mobility Impairment Sues Community

February 6, 2012    

A resident in a senior living community had multiple sclerosis and used an electric wheelchair. The community claimed that, throughout her tenancy, she routinely operated the wheelchair at excessive speeds and without adequate control. Allegedly, she damaged the walls and front door to her unit...

Don't Violate the Housing Rights of Military Families

January 24, 2012    

Three Southern California communities recently resolved allegations that they violated the rights of military families under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), according to a joint statement by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Camp Pendleton Joint Legal Assistance...

Landlord Accused of 'Severe, Pervasive' Sexual Harassment

January 23, 2012    

Last month, the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC) filed suit against a New Orleans landlord for discrimination on the basis of sex, including severe, pervasive, and unwelcome sexual harassment; battery; and assault.

Under the federal Fair Housing Act, it’s...

Georgia Landlord, Rental Agent Discriminated Against Interracial Couple

December 15, 2011    

Earlier this month, a state court judge ruled that a Georgia rental property owner and a rental agent violated state fair housing law by refusing to rent to an interracial couple, according to an announcement by Attorney General Sam Olens.

Kentucky Community Settles Claims of Disability-Based Discrimination

December 14, 2011    

In early December, the owners, developers, architect, and civil engineers of a 276-unit rental community in Louisville, Ky., settled a lawsuit in which those involved in the design and construction of the complex were accused of discriminating against people with disabilities, according to the...

Fla. Complex Accused of Discriminating Against Domestic Violence Survivor

November 17, 2011    

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently filed a federal fair housing complaint, alleging that a Florida apartment complex and property management company refused to rent to a survivor of domestic violence. The complaint, filed with HUD, accuses the community of housing discrimination...

New York Owner to Pay $22,500 Penalty to Settle Housing Discrimination Case

October 24, 2011    

Earlier this month, the owner, management company, and rental agent of a 444-unit community in Glenville, N.Y., agreed to pay a $22,500 penalty to resolve allegations of discrimination against families with children and African Americans, according to an announcement by New York Attorney General...

Kentucky Community to Pay Up to $42K to Fix Alleged Design Flaws

October 22, 2011    

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Board of Commissioners recently announced a $42,000 conciliation agreement resulting from a disability discrimination complaint in violation of federal and state law. The complaint was made by the Lexington Fair Housing Council, which claimed that a...