FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2004 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CRT (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C. - R. Alexander Acosta, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice, today announced an agreement with the developers, builders, and site engineers of three Nevada apartment complexes to settle a lawsuit alleging discrimination against persons with disabilities.
In this suit, the government alleged that the defendants failed to comply with the Fair Housing Act because the public and common use areas of the apartment complexes were not accessible to persons with disabilities. The case was referred to the Justice Department by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
People with disabilities are often excluded from entire communities due to lack of accessible housing, said R. Alexander Acosta, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. We remain committed to enforcing the law so that persons with disabilities will enjoy the range of housing options they deserve. The defendants in the suit, Falcon Development Company No. 9501, LLC; Rancho del Rey, LP; Rancho Serene, LLC; L.R. Nelson; and Hunsaker and Associates, designed and constructed Rancho del Rey, Rancho Serene, and Rancho Viejo apartment complexes in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have agreed to pay $150,000 to make complexes accessible to persons with disabilities.
Since Jan. 1, 2001, the Civil Rights Division has filed 133 lawsuits alleging discrimination in housing, including 58 based on disability discrimination and 33 based on the Fair Housing Acts design and construction provisions. 04-586
Source: US Department of Justice
