United States v. C.B.M. Group, Incorporated

No. 01-857-PA (D. Or. Nov. 5, 2001); Clearinghouse Number: 53895

Description

Landlord Agrees to Cease "Zero-Tolerance" Policy Under Which It Attempted to Evict Victim of Domestic Violence

Abstract

The parties settled in this action challenging defendant landlord's and property manager's policy of evicting domestic violence survivors from their homes because of domestic violence incidents. Plaintiff is a tenant in a federally subsidized apartment complex. Plaintiff's husband physically assaulted her, and she obtained a temporary restraining order against him. After receiving a copy of the restraining order, defendants served her with a twenty-four-hour notice to vacate her apartment because of the domestic violence incident. Defendants subsequently refused plaintiff's attempts to pay rent and denied her application to rent a smaller apartment. Plaintiff alleged that defendants' policy of terminating the tenancy of or refusing to rent an apartment to domestic violence victims, most of whom are women, because of domestic violence incidents constituted discrimination on the basis of sex in violation of the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. ยง 3604. Defendants agreed no longer to apply its "zero-tolerance" policy of evicting innocent victims of violence. Defendants also agreed to amend its manuals, train all staff, and post notices to tenants in all of their properties in Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.

Additional Information

Attorney Information
Plaintiff represented by Ellen Johnson, Legal Aid Services of Oregon, 230 N.E. 2d Ave., Suite A, Hillsboro, OR 97124 (503.648.0513); Micky Ryan, Oregon Law Center, 813 SW Alder St., Suite 500, Portland OR 97205 (503.295.2760); Lenora M. Lapidus, ACLU Foundation, 125 Broad St., New York NY 10004 (212.549.2668); Martha Davis, Geoffrey Boehm, Wendy Weisner, NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, 395 Hudson St., New York NY 10014 (212.925.6635)
Docket Date
2001-11-06 01:00:00+00:00
Attorney Email
ellen.johnson@lasoregon.org