FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2016
Contact:
James Bahamonde, Esq., Law Offices of James E. Bahamonde, PC, 516-783-9662
Geoffrey Anderson, Westchester Residential Opportunities, 914-428-4507
Disability and Source of Income Case Settles against Landlord and Property Manager
White Plains, NY – Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) has settled a disability and source of income housing discrimination lawsuit against Coach N’ Four Manor, LLC and Neil Ruocco, the owner and Property Manager of a multi-family apartment complex located in Jefferson Valley, NY. Filed by WRO in federal court on August 3, 2015, the lawsuit alleged that the actions of the defendants violated the Fair Housing Act, New York State Human Rights Law, and Westchester County Human Rights Laws.
U.S. District Court Judge Nelson Roman signed an order resolving the lawsuit requiring Defendant Coach N’ Four Manor not to discriminate on the basis of disability or source of income (which includes Section 8 vouchers and governmental disability benefits), to adopt a reasonable accommodation policy for people with disabilities, and ensure that the common areas of the multi-family complex that it owns are in compliance with applicable fair housing laws. Defendant Coach N ’Four’s employees shall also receive mandatory fair housing training and be monitored by WRO for four years. The Defendants will pay a total of $101,500 in damages and attorney’s fees.
Executive Director Geoffrey Anderson of WRO stated: “WRO works to ensure that people with disabilities and people using Section 8 vouchers or government disability payments are welcome wherever they choose to live in the Lower Hudson Valley. I am pleased that this matter is now settled and that Defendants have agreed to abide by fair housing laws that protect people with disabilities and people using government vouchers.. WRO’s staff will continue to work to expand housing opportunity and fight housing discrimination.”
WRO was represented by Law Offices of James E. Bahamonde, PC.
The work that provided the basis for this press release was supported by funding provided through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Founded in 1968, WRO is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote equal, affordable, and accessible housing opportunities for all residents of its region.
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