Mr. Klump's Story

John Klump had a hard time even before Hurricane Katrina. His first leg was amputated in 2002. In November of 2004, he was admitted to a New Orleans area hospital where he had his second leg amputated. As if things weren't difficult enough for Mr. Klump, he emerged from his 2004 surgery only to face an eviction from his home.

Mr. Klump was making his way upstairs to his apartment, when his landlord, Edmond Oubre, told Mr. Klump's daughter that he did not want Mr. Klump to reside in the apartment anymore because of his disability. He informed her that he wasn't comfortable renting to a double-amputee. Oubre then proceeded to evict Mr. Klump because of his disability.

In February 2005, the Fair Housing Action Center (FHAC -- http://www.gnofairhousing.org/) helped Mr. Klump file a complaint of housing discrimination with HUD. The complaint was referred to the Louisiana Department of Justice (LADOJ), and on July 27, 2007, the LADOJ issued a "Determination of No Reasonable Cause," despite irrefutable evidence of housing discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act.

In August 2007, FHAC partnered with the Tulane Civil Litigation Clinic who filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, alleging violations of national and state fair housing laws, and the Louisiana Constitution. The case was settled in January of this year, when Oubre paid Mr. Klump $12,500 in compensatory damages.
 
Content Archived: July 18, 2011