DOJ ADA-FHA Lawsuit Against Senior Living Complexes
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) recently resolved a lawsuit alleging disability-based discrimination by the developer and owners, Dominion Management LLC and its affiliate companies (defendants), of eight (8) senior living complexes in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The defendants have agreed to pay $450,000 to settle claims that they violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to build these properties with required accessible features for people with disabilities. As part of the settlement, the defendants agreed to make substantial retrofits to remove accessibility barriers at the complexes, including more than 1,500 units.
Under the consent order the defendants will pay all costs related to the retrofits, $400,000 into a settlement fund to compensate individuals harmed by the inaccessible housing, and $50,000 in civil penalties to the government. The defendants also will undergo training, ensure that any future construction complies with federal accessibility laws, and make periodic reports to the DOJ.
This matter originated at Somerby Franklin in Franklin, Tennessee. The other senior living complexes involved in this case are:
Fleming Farms, Huntsville (Alabama)
Somerby St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, Birmingham (Alabama)
Somerby Peachtree City (Georgia)
Somerby Sandy Springs (Georgia)
Westside, Alpharetta (Georgia)
Somerby Santa Rosa Beach (Florida)
Somerby Mount Pleasant (South Carolina)