HUD APPROVES SETTLEMENT RESOLVING CLAIMS OF DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION AT SEVERAL PENNSYLVANIA APARTMENT COMPLEXES

摘要

HUD has approved a Conciliation Agreement resolving allegations that 19 apartment complexes in and near Philadelphia, PA refused to grant reasonable accommodations requested by individuals with disabilities. The Conciliation Agreement is between the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania; management companies HumanGood East (dba Presby's Inspired Life) and HumanGood Pennsylva- nia, (dba Presby's Inspired Life); 27 apartment complex owners; and an individual with disabilities. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from denying housing to persons with disabilities or subjecting them to discriminatory terms or conditions, including denying reasonable accommodation requests. In addition, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by recipients of federal financial assistance. "For persons with disabilities, being granted a reasonable accommodation, such as a designated parking space, grab bars in a bathroom or an assistance animal, can mean the difference between merely having somewhere to live and being able to fully use and enjoy the place they call home," said Jeanine Worden, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.