Our Vision Statement: Disability Rights California will create individual and family supports, chosen and directed by the person with a disability

DFEH

State settles tenants with disabilities' discrimination complaints against Monrovia apartment complex

Department of Fair Employment & Housing

PHYLLIS W. CHENG, Director
2218 Kausen Drive Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA 95758-7115
(916) 478-7251
TTY (800) 700-2320
Fax (916) 478-7329
www.dfeh.ca.gov

Date: June 1, 2010

Contact: Annmarie Billotti
For Immediate Release (916) 478-7247
annmarie.billotti@dfeh.ca.gov

ELK GROVE, CA -- The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) today announced the settlement of 13 DFEH complaints filed last fall by an applicant and tenants with physical and developmental disabilities against Regency Court Apartments in Monrovia, California. The apartment’s property management had served eviction notices to eleven tenants with physical and developmental disabilities, and removed an applicant’s name from its waiting list, under the mistaken belief that the evictions were necessary to comply with senior housing laws and regulations, which did not apply at the complex. Late last week the final tenant of all the parties affected by this wrongful act signed and agreed to the terms of the settlement with Regency Court Apartments.

When the Los Angeles Times broke the story on the disabled tenants’ plight, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger personally intervened and persuaded the out-of-state owners to rescind the evictions.

“When I first read about this situation, I was inspired by my late mother-in-law, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to take immediate action to help these people stay in their homes,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I’m pleased my Department of Fair Employment and Housing was able to reach this settlement with the apartment complex to allow these individuals to continue to live in their homes.”

Following the Governor’s intervention, the DFEH negotiated settlements on behalf of the injured tenants and applicant, and their representative, the Housing Rights Center (HRC). To resolve the complaints, Regency Court Apartments sent letters of apology to the tenants it tried to evict; promised to not evict or fail to renew the tenants’ leases in the future because of disability or age; restored the applicant’s name to its waiting list; admitted that the complex does not meet the age requirements for senior housing; and agreed to train its property managers on fair housing. Regency Court Apartments also agreed to pay HRC $ 5,000 to cover the costs of investigation. In settling, the owners did not admit liability.

“Governor Schwarzenegger is a leading champion for the civil rights of persons with disabilities,” said DFEH Director Phyllis Cheng. “The Governor’s action took place on the 50th anniversary of California’s civil rights law, the Fair Employment and Housing Act, which first took effect on September 18, 1959. The DFEH is proud to continue its long history of eliminating discrimination for all Californians.”

The DFEH is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws. The mission of the DFEH is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations and from hate violence. For more information, visit the Department’s Web site at www.dfeh.ca.gov. ###