A Los Angeles housing provider accused of threatening a disabled woman with eviction for having a support animal has resolved discrimination claims with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The conciliation agreement settles claims against owner, 4147 McClung Drive, LLC, Keeton Property Management, LLC and the manager of one of its properties.
The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations in their rules, policies, practices, and services when needed to provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to use or enjoy a dwelling. This includes waiving “no-pets” policies for persons with disabilities.
“Emotional support animals are essential to the ability of individuals with disabilities to function on a daily basis. They are not pets,” Anna María Farías, HUD’s assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity said in a news release. “This agreement highlights the importance of housing providers granting the reasonable accommodations they are required to provide under the law.”
The case came to HUD’s attention in July when the woman filed a complaint alleging the property manager told her that she could not keep her dog and threatened to evict her, even though she had provided medical documentation attesting to her need for the support animal.
The complaint also alleged that after receiving an eviction notice, she moved out of her home. The housing providers deny that they discriminated against the woman.
Under the terms of the two-year agreement, the owners will pay the tenant $8,500 within 15 days and provide at least three hours of fair housing training to their management and leasing staff within 90 days.
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