Landmark Decision in Federal Court Strengthens Disability Protections in Housing

A jury found that the defendant, Falls Park Apartments in Post Falls , ID , had violated the Fair Housing Act by engaging in discrimination against people with disabilities and had engaged in negligent training and supervision of its employees.

This case is the first in the country in which a jury awarded damages for the charging of security deposit and other fees on a service animal,” said Ken Nagy, attorney for the Intermountain Fair Housing Council (IFHC), a civil rights organization based in Boise .

The jury awarded more than $20,000 in Fair Housing violations. The damages were for the frustration of IFHC’s mission and also damages for its diversion of resources.

Under the Fair Housing Act, it is unlawful to a charge deposit or fees to disabled people who have a service animal.

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