FHP et al. v. Borough of West View
March 2023
FHP and three residents of the Borough of West View conciliated federal litigation and complaints at the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity with a Voluntary Compliance Agreement based on disability. The allegations were based on the denial of reasonable accommodations for disability street parking spaces proximate to the residents’ homes. The conciliation terms include amending the ordinance and practice governing requests for disability street parking; council members and/or staff attending fair housing training; tracking and reporting to HUD on reasonable accommodation and modifications requested to the Borough of West View; and a $87,500 financial settlement.
Press Release: (Press release not released yet)
Voluntary Consent Agreement
Borough of West View Ordinance No. 1524
Filed Litigation
FHP et al. v. Clover
July 2022
FHP and eleven partner fair housing organizations in six different states conciliated federal litigation with Clover Construction Management, Inc. et al. based on disability. The allegations were based on noncompliance with the Fair Housing Act’s Design and Construction requirements that governs the physical accessibility of new construction multifamily properties such as curb cuts and clear floor space in the bathrooms. Conciliation is not an admission of guilt. The conciliation includes exterior renovations at fifty properties such as installing curb cuts and accessible routes; $3.25 million will be provided in a remediation fund for residents who request greater accessibility within their units; and a $1.5 million financial settlement.
FHP v. Edward & Donna Rochez
February 2022
FHP conciliated federal fair housing litigation with Edward and Donna Rochez based on familial status. The allegations were based on the refusal to rent to families with minor aged children. Conciliation is not an admission of guilt. The conciliation terms include an apology from Edward & Donna Rochez; their divestment of the rental property; and a $12,500.00 financial settlement.
Press Release: (Press release not released yet)
Apology Letter
Consent Order: (Awaiting final copy of the Consent Order)
Filed Litigation
Ashley Butler & FHP v. Sundo Capital, LLC et al.
December 2021
Ashley Butler & FHP conciliated federal fair housing litigation with Sundo Capital, LLC et al. based on sex wherein women are disproportionately survivors of domestic violence or intimate partner violence. The allegations were based on Ms. Butler’s need to be released from her rental lease without penalty because as a survivor of domestic violence she needed to flee her abuser. Upon her fleeing the rental home, Ms. Butler was charged $6,382.17 due, in part, to a rent acceleration clause. Conciliation is not an admission of guilt. The conciliation terms include Sundo Capital, LLC et al. incorporating a lease clause that provides for survivors of domestic violence to be released from their lease without penalty; Sundo Capital, LLC et al. attending fair housing training; and a $12,500.00 financial settlement.
Press Release
Conciliation
Judge’s Decision on the Motion to Dismiss
Filed Litigation
FHP et al. v. Mozart Management et al.
FHP et al. and Mozart Management et al. conciliated a fair housing complaint based on disability. The allegations were based on denied reasonable accommodation requests regarding emotional support animals and increased notice before management accessing the unit. Conciliation is not an admission of guilt. The conciliation terms include Mozart Management et al. attending a fair housing training; training and maintaining a fair housing coordinator; updating their fair housing and reasonable accommodation policies; and a $17,000.00 financial settlement. For more details see FHP’s press release.
FHP et al. v. Allegheny County Housing Authority
FHP et al. and Allegheny County Housing Authority (ACHA) et al. conciliated a fair housing complaint based on familial status. The allegations were based on familial status regarding denied occupancy of 1-bedroom units to pregnant women and couples with infants. Conciliation is not an admission of guilt. The conciliation terms include ACHA et al. attending fair housing training, implementing occupancy policy changes effective October 1, 2018; and notice of the policy change to all applicants offered efficiencies and 1-bedrooms from November 1, 2017 to May 1, 2018. For more details see FHP’s press release.