Communities in Three States Settle Allegations of Disability Discrimination

Housing providers in California, Idaho, and Hawaii recently won HUD’s approval to settle fair housing claims alleging disability discrimination.

In separate cases, two communities in California settled fair housing complaints for allegedly denying the reasonable accommodation requests of residents with disabilities who needed assistance animals or a first-floor apartment. In one case, the owners had to pay $10,000 to settle allegations that they ordered a resident with disabilities to remove her assistance animal from the property. In the second case, the owners had to pay $6,500 to resolve allegations that they denied a resident’s reasonable accommodation request to move to a ground-floor unit due to a mobility disability.

In Idaho, community owners agreed to pay $6,000 to settle allegations that they denied the request of a tenant with disabilities to keep an emotional support animal. According to the resident, the owners initially denied her request, but later allowed her to keep the animal with numerous terms and conditions that violated fair housing law.

In Hawaii, HUD approved a Voluntary Compliance Agreement to resolve allegations that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority failed to provide enough accessible units for residents with disabilities.

“Denying persons with disabilities the accommodations they need or failing to build accessible housing violates the law,” Anna María Farías, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a statement. “Hopefully, the settlements we’re announcing today will help housing providers recognize their obligation to comply with the nation’s fair housing laws and make a commitment to meeting that obligation.”