FHC FILES ANOTHER FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES FOR HOUSING BIAS AGAINST FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

The Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches, Inc. (FHC) today filed a federal lawsuit against two more Palm Beach County homeowner associations and two property management companies for discrimination on the basis of familial status, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The FHC suit alleges that Sonoma Bay Community Homeowners Association, Emanuel Management Services, LLC, Marsh Harbour Maintenance Association, Inc., Prestige Quality Management, LLC, and related entities and individuals discriminate in their policies and practices by unnecessarily and unfairly imposing burdensome requirements and restrictions on families with children.  The lawsuit challenges the use of rental applications that require prospective tenants to submit report cards for persons under the age of 18 years old and rules that impose a sundown curfew on persons under the age of 18, requiring them to be inside or on their patios after sundown.

“Parents should not be required to provide a report card for their children in order to obtain housing, nor should a homeowner’s association dictate whether your children and/or individuals under the age of 18 can be outside after dark,” stated Vince Larkins, FHC President & CEO.  “The suit signals the FHC and its allies determination to fight on for American families, as we celebrate the 46th Anniversary of the historic Fair Housing Act, passed days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” he added.  

The FHC conducted an investigation of these Palm Beach County communities to support the allegations in their complaint.  The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Janell Byrd and Pia Winston of Mehri & Skalet, PLLC, a Washington, D.C. law firm, and Ayesa Phillips of Ford & Phillips, P.L. in Hollywood, Florida.

Anyone who believes that they may have been discriminated against at Sonoma Bay and Marsh Harbour may contact the FHC’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-910-FAIR or click on File Complaint. Click on the icon above to view WPTV5 news story.

Fair Housing Month Event a Huge Success!

From (L) to (R) Pat Tracey Executive Director and Kenesha Wood Director of Counseling, both of R.E.A.C.H, Tequisha Myles, Esq. and Vince Larkins

The Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County Fair Housing Month Celebration Event was a huge success. The event was one of the many across the country celebrating the passage of the historical Fair Housing Act of 1968, passed on April 11^th of 1968, days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4^th .  

President Johnson, at the time of the signing of the bill,  said its passage was a fitting memorial to the live and work of Dr. King. Vince Larkins, FHC President/CEO,  lead a great discussion on the fair housing issues involved in the movie,   “A RAISON IN THE SUN, WHAT HAPPENS TO A DREAM DEFERRED”.  Make sure to visit the FHC in Facebook to view more pictures of the event. 

Thanks to all attendees & staffs of both agencies for a great night & discussion on this historical movie and a special thanks to Tequisha Myles, Supervising Attorney of the Legal Aid Society Fair Housing Project for spearheading this special occasion.

Mayor Taylor Declares April 2014 as “Fair Housing Month” in Palm Beach County

From (L) to (R) Vince Larkins, Mayor Taylor, Pamela Guerrier Esq.,Tequisha Myles Esq.

Pricilla Taylor, Mayor of Palm Beach County presented a proclamation at the April 1st meeting of the Board of County Commissioners to Vince Larkins, FHC President/CEO,  Pamela Guerrier, Director of Palm Beach the County Office of Equal Opportunity and Tequisha Myles, Supervising Attorney of Legal Aid Society of PBC Fair Housing Project declaring April 2014 as “Fair Housing Month” in Palm Beach County.

APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH!!! Click here and Register NOW for Fair Housing Month Celebration Movie

This year the Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County will be celebrating Fair Housing Month with a showing of A Raisin in the Sun and leading a discussion on the fair housing themes in the movie. 

FHC President Vince Larkins will be leading a discussion on the fair housing themes in the movie prior to the state of the movie.  The event will be held at the Mos’ Art Theater in Lake Park on Friday, April 4, 2014 at 6pm.