Post by Admin on Aug 24, 2017 16:51:37 GMT -5
This one involves a co-op, which is a shareholder common interest development. In co-ops, "boards" interview prospective shareholders who wish to purchase the right to use an apartment "share" and may decline a purchaser without giving any reason. Ahhhhh...enter HUD! All of us should remember that HOA's, Condos, Landlords, Co-ops, Management companies, Apartment Managers can be"housing providers" and subject to HUD. In the case below, the Management Company got whacked along with the Co-op!
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities
Tompkins Manor co-op, and management company West-Ex Associates were named in a recent settlement in a Fair Housing complaint alleging discrimination based on disability status.
According to reports, Michael Forster is a 34-year old man with congenital heart defects, and, due to medical disabilities including previous heart attacks, he is unable to hold a full-time job.
However, Michael's parents established a trust fund to purchase an apartment and to pay his expenses well into the future. In 2013, Tompkins Manor co-op and its management company rejected Forster's accepted purchase offer, stating that the association does not allow ownership by trust. Although Forster and his parents explained his disabilities, the co-op refused to make an accommodation to its policies.
Ultimately, the family was able to purchase another apartment in a different town, but due to the stress of the rejection by Tompkins Manor and subsequent search for an alternate home, Forster suffered another heart attack.
Forster filed a Fair Housing complaint shortly thereafter, and the U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York announced a $125,000 settlement in July 2017.
Tompkins Manor co-op, and management company West-Ex Associates were named in a recent settlement in a Fair Housing complaint alleging discrimination based on disability status.
According to reports, Michael Forster is a 34-year old man with congenital heart defects, and, due to medical disabilities including previous heart attacks, he is unable to hold a full-time job.
However, Michael's parents established a trust fund to purchase an apartment and to pay his expenses well into the future. In 2013, Tompkins Manor co-op and its management company rejected Forster's accepted purchase offer, stating that the association does not allow ownership by trust. Although Forster and his parents explained his disabilities, the co-op refused to make an accommodation to its policies.
Ultimately, the family was able to purchase another apartment in a different town, but due to the stress of the rejection by Tompkins Manor and subsequent search for an alternate home, Forster suffered another heart attack.
Forster filed a Fair Housing complaint shortly thereafter, and the U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York announced a $125,000 settlement in July 2017.