| HUD No. 24-155 HUD Public Affairs (202) 708-0685 |
FOR RELEASE Friday June 21, 2024 |
HUD Judge Enters Order Settling Discrimination Claim Against Georgia Housing Providers
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that Kevin Lee Forrestal and Lydia Forrestal, property owners, and PadSplit Inc., a property management company, will pay $47,500 under a Consent Order resolving allegations that they discriminated against a tenant because of her disability. Read the Order.
The Fair Housing Act (the Act) makes it illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing because of disability, race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), and familial status.
“It is illegal to deny a tenant the right to enjoy their home in a safe manner due to disability,” said Demetria L. McCain, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is committed to ensuring that tenants with disabilities are granted the reasonable accommodations they are entitled to receive.”
The Order resolves allegations the housing providers failed to grant a reasonable accommodation when a hearing-impaired tenant requested to have a service animal to assist with her disability.
“The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to grant reasonable accommodations, including the use of assistance animals, to ensure residents have full use and enjoyment of their homes,” said Damon Smith, HUD General Counsel. “HUD is dedicated to pursuing enforcement action when housing providers subject their tenants to unlawful disability discrimination.”
Respondents agreed to resolve this case voluntarily, including through compensation to the individual affected and additional education and training for employees to ensure a better understanding of fair housing laws.
People 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) 877-8339 (Relay) or at hud.gov/fairhousing. Housing providers and others can learn more about their responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications to individuals with disabilities here.