The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged Macon, Georgia, property owner, property management company, and property manager, Macon MF, LLC, Active Property Management LLC, and Michael Bailey, with discrimination against a tenant because of her disability. HUD also charged them with retaliating against the tenant. Read HUD’s Charge.
HUD’s Charge of Discrimination alleges that the Respondents did not grant required reasonable accommodations when the Complainant requested an assistance animal and an alternate bathroom while the Respondents were renovating the sole bathroom in her unit. The Charge also alleges that the Respondents terminated her tenancy in retaliation for requesting the reasonable accommodations.
HUD's charge will be heard by a U.S. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) unless any party to the charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If an ALJ finds after a hearing that retaliation has occurred, they may award damages to the complainant for harm caused by discrimination, injunctive relief, other equitable relief, payment of attorney fees, and fines. If the Charge is decided in federal court, punitive damages may also be assessed.
People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). More info: www.hud.gov/fairhousing. Housing providers and other interested persons can learn more about their responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications to individuals with disabilities here. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact HUD using the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
