HUD REACHES AGREEMENT WITH UTAH HOUSING PROVIDERS SETTLING CLAIMS OF DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it has reached a Conciliation/Voluntary Compliance Agreement with Jefferson School Apartments II, LLC, and Housing Assistance Management Enterprise, the owner and managers of an 84-unit apartment complex in Salt Lake City, Utah, resolving allegations that they refused a resident with disabilities' request for an assigned parking space as a reasonable accommodation. Read agreement.

The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against persons with disabilities. In addition, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

"For 45 years persons with disabilities who reside in HUD-financed housing have had the right to receive the accommodations they need to fully enjoy their homes, but in too many instances that right continues to be denied," said Anna María Farías, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Today's settlement reaffirms HUD's commitment to ensuring that housing providers are aware of their obligations under the nation's fair housing laws and take steps to comply with those obligations."

The case came to HUD's attention when a woman with disabilities filed a complaint alleging that Jefferson School Apartments II, LLC, refused her request to be assigned a designated parking space close to her unit. Jefferson School Apartments and Housing Assistance Management Enterprise, a Salt Lake City-based non-profit corporation, receive federal financial assistance.

Under the terms of the agreement, Housing Assistance Management Enterprise and Jefferson School Apartment, LLC, will pay Complainant $18,000, transfer her to a ground-floor unit, pay moving expenses up to $2,500, and assign her a designated parking space in front of her unit. In addition, the owner and property management company will provide fair housing training for staff at the apartment complex, revise their reasonable accommodation policy, and revise their parking policy to include language that informs persons with disabilities about their right to request a designated parking space as a reasonable accommodation.

April 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. In commemoration, HUD, local communities, housing advocates, and fair housing organizations across the country have coordinated a variety of activities to enhance awareness of fair housing rights, highlight HUD's fair housing enforcement efforts, and end housing discrimination in the nation. For a list of planned activities, log onto www.hud.gov/fairhousingis50.

Persons who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).

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