HUD is charging two New York landlords with discriminating against a disabled veteran, according to a press statement from HUD. A Vietnam-era veteran was allegedly denied use of a service animal, according to the charges. The landlords also allegedly threatened to evict the tenant for filing a complaint.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced on March 5, 2010 that two Poughkeepsie, New York-area landlords are being charged with with violating the Fair Housing Act. The landlords allegedly refused to allow a Vietnam-era veteran, suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to have a therapeutic service dog in his apartment.
Landlords, Gerald and Patrick Paribelli, who manage and own the Apartment Buildings of South Street Builders, Inc., in Highland, NY, are being charged with discrimination and retaliating against the veteran by threatening to evict him because he filed a housing discrimination complaint.
The Fair Housing Act makes refusing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities unlawful. The Fair Housing Act also prohibits intimidation tactic, threats or interfering with a person's right to exercise their fair housing rights.
John Trasviña, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, stated, "Every day, the men and women of our armed services risk their lives to defend our freedom. It's our duty to ensure that our service members, as well as everyone who calls America home, have access to safe and affordable housing, free from discrimination. HUD will continue to vigorously enforce our nation's fair housing laws on behalf of our nation's veterans and those currently serving."
The complained filed with HUD and the New York State Division of Human Rights alleged that the apartment owners failed to grant the veteran reasonable accommodation when they denied his use of a prescribed service animal. Doctors had prescribed the service animal to reduce post-traumatic stress, depression and seizures.
One of the owners acknowledged that he had heard of assistance animals being used to treat these disorders, but denied the tenant's requests for a therapeutic service dog because his apartment building had a "no-pets" policy. HUD's charge of discrimination also asserts that the landlords told the tenant that he would need to start looking for a different place to live because he had filed a housing discrimination complaint.
The HUD charge will be heard by a United States Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) unless any party to the charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If the judge finds that discrimination has occurred, damages may be awarded to the complainant. The ALJ may also impose penalties against the landlords.
FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate more than 10,000 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 (voice), 800-927-9275 (TTY).
Written by Christine Nyholm
Huliq.com
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
