TRENTON, NJ — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced today that they have issued Findings of Probable Cause in eight cases involving allegations of disability discrimination by housing providers and management companies. The cases span across five counties: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Ocean, and Union.
The allegations detail a range of discriminatory practices, including the denial of rental opportunities, the failure to address severe tenant harassment, and the refusal to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. These actions are in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), which prohibits such discrimination and mandates accommodations for individuals with disabilities unless deemed unreasonable.
One notable case involved the Cooper Building in Camden, where it is alleged that a lease agreement was rescinded due to the prospective tenant’s disability. According to DCR’s findings, after initially extending a lease, the owner’s representative canceled it upon meeting the complainant, citing safety concerns and potential liability risks due to the tenant’s disability.
Another significant case arose in Seaside Park, where a tenant of a seven-unit rental property suffered repeated harassment by other tenants due to their disability. Despite being aware of the ongoing issues, the property owner allegedly failed to investigate or take necessary action to address the harassment, violating his obligations under the LAD.
In addition to these cases, DCR has issued six other Findings of Probable Cause related to the denial of reasonable accommodations for residents with disabilities.
Attorney General Platkin emphasized New Jersey’s commitment to combatting disability discrimination, stating, “In New Jersey, the strong protections offered by our Law Against Discrimination mean you don’t have to face housing discrimination because of your disability.” He affirmed the state’s ongoing efforts to enforce these laws vigorously.
DCR Director Sundeep Iyer also highlighted the importance of enforcement, remarking, “People with disabilities continue to face persistent and systemic obstacles to obtaining housing. That’s why we’ve stepped up our efforts to combat housing discrimination and disability discrimination across our state, and why we’ll continue our work to help ensure everyone has a fair shot at obtaining safe, affordable housing.”
These cases now move forward with the possibility of further legal action to resolve the allegations and ensure compliance with state law.
