HUD APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES AREA HOUSING PROVIDERS SETTLING DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has approved a settlement with housing providers in the greater Los Angeles area, resolving allegations that they refused to allow residents with disabilities to keep assistance animals.

The providers include PAMA Management Inc.; Nijjar Realty, Inc.; IE Rental Homes Inc.; Group IV Pomona Properties Ltd.; HORN TR; The Park Village Apts. 0332 PS; Cobra-28 Limited Partnership; Group II Azusa Properties Ltd.; Porto Management Inc.; and Sabraj Nijjar. Read the agreement.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from denying or limiting housing to persons with disabilities, or from refusing to make reasonable accommodations in policies or practices for persons with disabilities when the accommodations may be necessary to afford them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. This includes not allowing persons with disabilities to have assistance animals that perform work or tasks.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to fully enjoy the place they call home, including persons with disabilities," said Anna María Farías, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "HUD is pleased that the housing providers who are part of today's action have agreed to take steps to comply with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act."

The case came to HUD's attention when Inland Fair Housing & Mediation Board (IFHMB), a HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program agency, filed a complaint after it conducted tests of six properties owned or managed by the named housing providers showing that they denied persons with disabilities the right to keep assistance animals. IFHMB further alleged that employees of the providers failed to give residents with disabilities proper information regarding service animals. The providers denied the discrimination but agreed to settle the complaint.

Under the terms of the agreement, the housing providers will pay $15,000 to IFHMB. They will also have staff who interact with current and potential tenants attend fair housing training; modify their policies to include information on reasonable accommodations, modifications, and service animals; and ensure that staff who interact with current or potential tenants will have the ability to communicate in English and other languages.

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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