The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged Good Team Realty LLC, Jack O Cohen Revocable Trust, and Jack Cohen, owners and operators of more than 40 rental apartments in New Hampshire, with discriminating against potential tenants because of disability. The Charge alleges that the Respondents violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to negotiate for and show an available apartment to prospective tenants who used assistance animals for their disabilities. Read HUD’s Charge.
“In 1988 the Fair Housing Act was extended to protect persons from discrimination in housing because of a disability, yet people with disabilities continue to be subjected to discriminatory treatment,” said Diane M. Shelley, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Today's action demonstrates HUD's ongoing commitment to take appropriate action when housing providers fail to comply with the Fair Housing Act."
HUD’s Charge of Discrimination alleges that the Complainants spoke with property owner, Jack Cohen, about renting an apartment and that during the conversation the Complainants revealed that they had an assistance animal. The Charge further alleges that the Complainants arranged to meet Mr. Cohen to view the apartment but that Mr. Cohen refused to allow the Complainants inside the apartment because they did not have medical documentation verifying their need for the assistance animal with them at that time.
A U. S. Administrative Law Judge will hear HUD’s charge unless any party to the charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If an administrative law judge finds, after a hearing, that discrimination has occurred, they may award damages to the family for their losses as a result of the discrimination, injunctive relief, and other equitable relief, as well as payment of attorney fees. In addition, the judge may impose civil penalties and punitive damages to the complainant.
Go to HUD Fair Housing.
