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New Jersey Cracks Down on Disability Discrimination in Housing
Housing Providers Allegedly Denied Rentals, Permitted Residents to Be Harassed Based on Disability, or Denied Reasonable Accommodations
Morristown, NJ — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) have issued Findings of Probable Cause against several management companies and property owners for alleged disability discrimination. These findings suggest that multiple housing providers across the state may have violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) by denying housing opportunities and failing to accommodate residents with disabilities.
The eight cases unveiled today encompass a series of grievances where tenants with disabilities were either denied rental opportunities, subjected to harassment, or denied necessary accommodations. These cases were reported in five counties, including Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Ocean, and Union, highlighting a widespread issue across the state.
“People with disabilities continue to face persistent and systemic obstacles to obtaining housing,” said Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. “Our laws make clear that disability discrimination in housing is against the law – but those protections don’t mean much without meaningful enforcement. That’s why we’ve stepped up our efforts to combat housing discrimination and disability discrimination across our state, and why we’ll continue our work to help ensure everyone has a fair shot at obtaining safe, affordable housing.”
One notable instance involves the Cooper Building in Camden, where the management purportedly retracted a lease offer to a potential tenant after learning of his disability, citing safety concerns and potential liability. Another case in Seaside Park centers on a property owner who allegedly did not intervene in ongoing harassment against a tenant with a disability.
In addition to these allegations, six other findings were announced, accusing housing providers of refusing reasonable accommodations. For example, the Penn Properties Management Company reportedly ignored requests to address mold and electrical issues that exacerbated a tenant's health conditions. Meanwhile, Mill Run at Union Apartments in Union allegedly denied a tenant's request for a designated accessible parking space, offering no evidence that such an accommodation would be burdensome.
These Findings of Probable Cause do not constitute a final judgment but indicate that DCR's preliminary investigation found sufficient evidence of potential LAD violations. The cases now move towards a final adjudication, where violations could lead to penalties ranging up to $50,000 per violation for repeat offenders within five years.
These enforcement actions underscore New Jersey's commitment to upholding the rights of individuals with disabilities and ensuring fair treatment in housing. For more details on the cases or to understand your rights under the LAD, visit New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
