Mehri & Skalet Secured A $2.7 Million Settlement Against Ryan Housing Companies for Discrimination Against People with Disabilities

In November, Mehri & Skalet worked with the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), Open Communities, and HOPE Fair Housing Center (HOPE) to make Ryan properties compliant with the accessibility requirements of the federal Fair Housing Act. Ryan Companies has agreed to make alterations to over 900 apartments, resolving a lawsuit involving 10 housing complexes located in Illinois and Iowa, over the next 24 months so the apartments and all common areas will be accessible for people with disabilities. The agreement settles claims that Ryan Companies discriminated against people with disabilities by designing and/or constructing buildings without the required accessibility features, and requires Ryan to make changes estimated at $2.7 million. Additionally, Ryan Companies will pay a total of $875,000 to NFHA, Open Communities, and HOPE for damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and frustration of the core mission of the fair housing agencies. Read more here.