WISCONSIN
Apartment complex owner agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging that he discriminated against a mother and daughter by refusing to renew the lease because of their disabilities, according to a federal complaint.
Applewood of Cross Plains LLC and the landlord William Ranguette also demanded that the victims develop a “plan” to deal with the daughter’s purported disability-related behavior, pressuring them to move, officials said.
“No family should have to endure degrading insults and comments in the place they call home,” Gustavo Velasquez, Housing and Urban Development’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity said last week. “Today’s settlement reflects HUD and the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment to taking appropriate action against individuals who violate the housing rights of persons with disabilities.”
The federal government alleges that the defendants violated the Fair Housing Act, according to a consent decree made public last week.
Under the terms of the settlement, the defendants will pay the complainants $40,000 in damages.
Although denying the allegations, defendants Cross Plains and Ranguette have also agreed to maintain non-discrimination housing policies, advertise that they are equal opportunity housing providers and attend fair housing training.
The federal government alleged that defendants, which include the residential apartment manager of the building, failed to take promptly correct and end disability-related harassment by other tenants.
From the time the victims moved into the building, officials said other tenants made such statements as calling the daughter “mentally retarded,” and stating “You don’t belong here. . . you belong in an institution.”
Complaints included that other tenants continued with offensive comments, followed them around the building, and interfered with their use of the premises, went unaddressed, according to officials.
“The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on many bases, including disability,” said U.S. Attorney John W. Vaudreuil of Wisconsin. “Persons living with disabilities have an equal right to protection under the Act and we will enforce the Act when such offensive conduct interferes with their rights to use and enjoyment of their home.”
Individuals who believe that they have been victims of housing discrimination can call the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, e-mail the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov