HUD: Rensselaer apartments denied request for assistance animal for disabled child

A Rensselaer apartment complex is being charged with violating the Fair Housing Act by refusing a tenant’s request to have an assistance animal for her disabled child.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said Lakeview Avenue LLC and its employees are violating the Fair Housing Act because they turned down a tenant’s request for a disability-related reasonable accommodation to have an animal in her unit, according to a news release.

The tenant provided medical documentation supporting the need for the assistance animal, but the housing provider continued to deny the request.

The complaint also alleges that the tenant received a notice to vacate her unit and move to another more expensive apartment shortly after her request for a reasonable accommodation.

“Individuals should not be confronted with obstacles when they try to access the safeguards offered under the Fair Housing Act,” said Demetria L. McCain, a deputy assistant secretary for HUD, in a news release.

Contact information for Lakeview Avenue LLC was not immediately available.