CURRENT CASES

Dechon, et al. v. Keystone Realty Associates, et al. – source of income (Section 8) discrimination

This Firm filed a housing discrimination action on behalf of several individual and a nonprofit organization, Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc., against Keystone Realty Associates, LLC, an owner of a multifamily apartment complex. Plaintiffs have alleged Keystone Realty Associates refused to accept Section 8 voucher – a government subsidy that offers rental assistance to eligible individuals. Keystone Realty Associates refusal to accept Section 8 voucher is considered discrimination based on source of income, which has been outlawed by Westchester County Fair Housing Law. Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. has had Testers confirm Keystone Realty Associates refusal to accept Section 8.

Stratton, et al. v. Coach N' Four Manor, LLC, et al. – housing discrimination, source of income discrimination, failure to make reasonable modifications, and inaccessible common areas

This Firm filed a housing discrimination action on behalf of Cynde Stratton and a nonprofit organization, Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. Ms. Stratton, an individual with a disability, alleges she requested a reasonable modification so that she can have an accessible parking space and walkway leading to her apartment. Instead of making the reasonable modification, Defendants unlawfully retaliated, refused to renew the lease or accept the Section 8 voucher, and to top it all off, Defendants commenced a court action to have Ms. Stratton evicted.

Vilchez et al v. AVR Realty Company, LLC, et al – housing discrimination, inaccessible multifamily condominium complex

This Firm successfully represented Suzanne Vilchez, a paralyzed woman, and a nonprofit organization, individual and nonprofit organization, the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) against Yonkers-based AVR Realty and its engineering and architectural firms. The complaint alleges that the design and construction of AVR Realty’s Powell Cove Estates, a 220-unit condominium development in Queens County, New York and Overlook Pointe in Duchess County, New York are not accessible to persons with physical disabilities. The FHJC, who sent undercover testers to both sites, confirmed that the exterior and interior construction and design of the developments did not meet the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act.  Ultimately, a federal court approved a $1.3 million settlement relating to the design and construction. Defendants will pay $900,000 for damages, attorneys’ fees, and retrofits to the individual plaintiff’s unit, driveway, and sidewalks.  Defendants will also retrofit ground floor units and certain common areas at the Dutchess County project at their expense and have future residential sites reviewed for compliance. In addition, the settlement provides $400,000 for the FHJC to use to provide financial assistance to income eligible homeowners and renters with physical disabilities seeking to make accessibility modifications to their existing housing, including unit owners at the Queens development.

Alicea v. St. Charles Hospital – failure to make reasonable accommodation

This firm filed a disability discrimination action against St. Charles Hospital. We represented Denise Alicea, a wheelchair user, who has alleged the hospital violated federal law by refusing to treat her unless she agreed to bring a third-party to assist transferring.

Hines, et al v. 1025 Fifth Avenue Inc. – service dog discrimination, emotional support dog discrimination, disability discrimination, and guide to make reasonable accommodation.

This Firm filed a housing discrimination lawsuit against a Fifth Avenue co-op – 1025 Fifth Avenue, Inc. – alleging disability discrimination, service dog discrimination, emotional support dog discrimination, and failure to make reasonable accommodation.  The Defendant ultimately agreed to recognize the fair housing rights of a service dog and emotional support dog, as well as pay $50,000 in damages to Plaintiffs.

Bacon v. North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Care, Inc. – failure to make reasonable accommodation

This Firm filed an Americans with Disabilities Act, disability discrimination case against North Shore-Long Island Jewish, alleging the wound care specialist refused to make an appointment with Plaintiff, an individual who uses a motorized wheelchair, unless he agreed to bring a third-party to assist transferring. 

Prudential Douglas Elliman – disability and housing discrimination

This Firm filed an action against Prudential Douglas Elliman because their agents allegedly made discriminatory statements and refused to rent to a family because the family's disabled daughter owned a service dog and used a wheelchair.

Supermarkets – wheelchair and scooter access

Several punitive class-actions against supermarkets for having locked gates which denied access to persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs or scooters.

Long Beach Housing Authority – disability and housing discrimination

Housing discrimination action against the Housing Authority demanding the removal of accessibility barriers and unequal conditions and privileges.

Restaurant – service dog discrimination

A disability discrimination claim against the owner of the restaurant for refusing to seat a disabled person because she was accompanied with a service dog.

Cold Spring Harbor School District - disability and employment discrimination

An employment discrimination action against Cold Spring Harbor School District for failing to reasonably accommodate a disabled teacher.

These are only several examples of the type of actions this Firm handles. If you feel you have been discriminated against or have questions about what legal options you may have, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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