United States v. Applewood of Cross Plains (W.D. Wis.)

On January 15, 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office filed a complaint and consent decree in United States v. Applewood of Cross Plains (W.D. Wis.), a Fair Housing Act election referral from HUD.  The complaint alleges that the owners and property managers of a 15-unit apartment complex in Cross Plains, Wisconsin violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to renew the complainant’s lease due to her disability (cerebral palsy) and her daughter’s disability (Down Syndrome), failing to stop disability-related harassment by other tenants and demanding that the complainant develop a “plan” to deal with her daughter’s disability-related behavior.  The complaint includes a claim based on the denial of rights to a group of persons.  Under the terms of the consent decree the defendants will pay the complainants $40,000 in damages, maintain non-discrimination housing policies, advertise that they are equal opportunity housing providers and attend fair housing training. The case was referred to the Division after the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received a complaint, conducted an investigation and issued a charge of discrimination.  The court entered the consent decree on January 20, 2016.