On September 3, 2024, DREDF and co-counsel from the Elder Law and Disability Rights Center entered into a settlement agreement with Aperto Property Management, Inc., Park Stanton Place, LP, and the Foundation for Affordable Housing II, Inc. (collectively, Park Stanton). The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed in January 2024, challenging Park Stanton’s failure to accommodate a prospective tenant with disabilities, depriving her of a housing opportunity and leaving her unhoused.
The plaintiff in the case, Linda Harding, had requested accommodations in the lease signing process while she was hospitalized due to her disabilities. Park Stanton refused, claiming that Harding was required to execute her lease in person. Rather than work with Harding to come up with a solution that would’ve allowed her to keep the unit, for which she had been approved, Park Stanton put the unit back on the market and rented it to another person.
“People with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations at every stage of the rental process,” said Michelle Uzeta, Deputy Legal Director at DREDF. “Park Stanton refused to even discuss alternative ways for Ms. Harding to sign her lease. Rather, they chose to violate fair housing law.”
The settlement provides for the adoption of anti-discrimination and reasonable accommodation policies, fair housing training, and a monetary payment of $62,500.
The case is Harding v. Aperto Property Management, Inc. et al., Case No.: 8:24-cv-00040.