Disability discrimination in California


Posted On: February 14, 2018

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) says it has reached a “Conciliation/Voluntary Compliance Agreement with the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa (HACCC) and the Vallejo Housing Authority (VHA).” Both are located in California. This resolves allegations of disability discrimination by the housing authorities, in violation of the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act by denying a request by a resident with disabilities. The resident wanted to extend her search time to find “suitable housing that would accept her Housing Choice Voucher.”

“For residents with disabilities, being allowed a longer period to find housing can be the difference between having a roof over their heads and finding themselves on the street,” said Anna María Farias, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “This case reminds housing providers of the seriousness of their responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 and demonstrates HUD’s commitment to ensuring that housing providers follow through on these responsibilities.”

Here are the terms of the agreement:

  • HACCC and VHA will pay the woman a total of $10,000;
  • HACCC will also reinstate the woman’s Housing Choice Voucher;
  • VHA will port her voucher into its jurisdiction;
  • The woman will be provided more time to locate and lease housing; and
  • VHA will revise its Extension of Voucher Term policy.

HUD says disability is the most common basis of complaint filed. HUD, states and local partners investigated more than 4500 disability-related complaints in 2017. That accounts for almost 55 percent of all fair housing complaints.

Read the agreement.



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