HUD Charges Wisconsin Housing Providers with Disability Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has officially charged housing providers in Appleton, Wisconsin, with discriminatory practices against a tenant with disabilities. 

The charges allege that Tammy and Ramiro Estrada refused necessary accommodation for the tenant’s assistance animals, violating the Fair Housing Act.

Details of the Discrimination Charge

The Estradas, owners of a duplex in Appleton, reportedly denied their tenant's request to live with her assistance animals. These animals are crucial for the tenant's accessibility and medical treatment. 

According to HUD, the refusal included imposing unlawful breed restrictions and threatening eviction, significantly impacting the tenant’s ability to enjoy her living environment.

HUD’s Principal Assistant Deputy Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Diane M. Shelley, emphasized, "The creation of artificial and unreasonable obstacles to granting a reasonable accommodation, because an assistance animal is involved, is against the law."

She adds, “HUD is committed to ensuring that individuals with a disability can access housing.”

General Counsel, Damon Smith, reiterated this commitment, stating, "Individuals with disabilities are entitled to the use of assistance animals as reasonable accommodations to afford them full access to their home."

As a result of the charges, the tenant was forced to seek more expensive housing alternatives due to the non-renewal of their lease, which explicitly cited the reasonable accommodation requests.

Related Read: Exploring Affordable Housing Solutions for Individuals with Disabilities

Legal Proceedings and Potential Outcomes

The case will now be heard by a United States Administrative Law Judge unless one of the parties opts for a federal district court trial. If discrimination is confirmed, the judge may award damages for the losses incurred due to the discriminatory actions. 

Additionally, other relief such as injunctive relief to prevent further discrimination, payment of attorney fees, and even civil penalties to address the public interest could be ordered.

How to Report Housing Discrimination

If you believe you have been the victim of housing discrimination, it is vital to report it. Here is how you can file a complaint with HUD:
 

• Phone: You can call HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 or (800) 927-9275 for TTY users.
• Online: Visit the HUD website’s fair housing complaint page at www.hud.gov/fairhousing to file electronically.
• Mail: Write a letter detailing your complaint and mail it to the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh St. SW, Washington, DC 20410.

When filing a complaint, remember to include all relevant information including your contact details, a description of the issue or incident, any correspondence related to the issue, and why you believe discrimination occurred.

Additional Resources

For those needing assistance in languages other than English or for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, HUD provides materials in multiple languages and can be contacted via the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

By ensuring a firm stance against housing discrimination and understanding the procedures for reporting such offenses, individuals can help foster inclusive, accessible, and fair housing opportunities for all.

-

Previous Article: HUD Provides Disaster Assistance for Hurricane-Affected Areas in Texas