FHC Files Federal Lawsuit against Boynton Beach Apartment Complex to Open Units to Families with Kids

The Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches, Inc. (FHC) today filed a federal lawsuit against Alan Beigel, owner of BB Apartments, located in the City of Boynton Beach, Florida and Deondria L. Ammons, the property manager.

The FHC suit alleges that the Defendants discriminate in the rental of housing on the basis of familial status (presence of minor children under 18), in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, as amended.

The suit arises as a result of an FHC testing investigation, which showed that homeseekers with children were treated differently from homeseekers without children. BB Apartments is not designated for older persons fifty-five (55) years of age or older and therefore is not exempt from the Fair Housing Act.

This FHC’s enforcement action seeks declaratory judgment, preliminary and injunctive relief, and damages for discrimination on the basis of familial status in the provision of housing.  This action arises under Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended (“Fair Housing Act”).

“In a day and age when good, decent and safe affordable housing is very difficult to find, it is absolutely critical that families with children be protected”, stated Vince Larkins, FHC President/CEO. “The FHC and our partners will continue to work hard to keep the doors to affordable housing units open to our kids in Palm Beach County and the State of Florida”, he added.

The plaintiffs are represented by FHC Cooperating Attorney Maxine Cheesman Esq. of the Law   Offices of Maxine D. Cheesman, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against at BB Apartments may contact the FHC’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-910-FAIR.