Ann Arbor-based fair housing center accepts settlement in Monroe lawsuit
The Ann Arbor-based Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan is among the parties that accepted a $40,000 settlement in a lawsuit alleging housing discrimination against a condominium association.
The lawsuit began when a potential buyer for a one-bedroom condominium in Woodcrest Condominiums in Monroe signed a sales agreement with the sellers of the unit but wasn't able to purchase the condo. The suit alleged the managers of the condo association wouldn't allow the sale because the purchaser is disabled.
The housing center helped to represent the buyer and sellers. The Ann Arbor non-profit organization provides fair housing information, investigative services, and advice and advocacy for residents in Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw counties.
Court records show the case was officially closed March 24.
The settlement between the condominium association managers and the center, the purchaser and buyer included an agreement that the managers wouldn't participate in decisions regarding prospective buyers or applicants.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
HPD
Tue, Apr 20, 2010 : 7:26 a.m.
I appreciate what looks like thoughtful, welcoming, good citizenship from the DDA in making the new parking plan. Thoughtful planning has often produced a balance between vested interests and fair treatment of citizens. This is a goal not always achieved. The City of Ann Arbor has lots of Permit Only parking intended to allow residents to coexist with high-use parking demand. An example of where this does make sense is the Kerrytown area. A place where I believe this is being abused is on and around Wells Street, my neighborhood. My opinion is that some mean-spirited residents in my neighborhood used an existing City of Ann Arbor process that favors privileged residents to place further limitations on commuters wanting to park in our neighborhood. There's now a 2 hour limit where there used to be 24/7 parking. This has put the squeeze on nearby streets with a 4 hour limit and 24/7 parking. This seems like a, "We'll get our exclusivity." mentality from the petitioners who used the City's process. Contrasted with Kerrytown, where there's plenty of daily commercial use, our neighborhood has almost no commercial property. Arguments offered by the "more restriction" interests included that they needed to provide for occasional plumber, electrician or other service calls. Unlike many of the Kerrytown residents, our Burns Park neighborhood has plenty of driveway space.
HPD
Tue, Apr 20, 2010 : 6:59 a.m.
Thank you to the staff and volunteers at our regional Fair Housing Center. Lately, lots of press shows regulation being questioned (banking scandals, automobile manufacturing and recall failures, unchecked discriminatory practices, etc.). I appreciate the Fair Housing Center's work to investigate potentially oppressive practices that are questioned. We all deserve to be treated fairly according to housing laws that have been on the books to redress discriminatory abuses.