United States v. City of Chattanooga (E.D. Tenn.)

On November 6, 2023, the Division filed a complaint and proposed consent decree in United States v. City of Chattanooga (E.D. Tenn.).  The Complaint alleges that the defendant discriminated on the basis of disability and violated the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act by refusing to allow four people with disabilities to reside in a four-bedroom home together under the same terms and conditions as residents without disabilities.  This case arises out of a HUD complaint filed by Quality Lifestyle Service, Inc., a non-profit corporation that supports independent housing for persons with mental disabilities in the City.  The proposed consent decree, which still must be approved by the court, includes an injunction prohibiting future acts of discrimination; requires the City to pay $32,600 in monetary relief to Quality Lifestyle Service and a civil penalty of $5,000; and requires the City to implement revisions to its zoning code, conduct training, and provide compliance reports to the Division.  The case was referred to the Division after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development received Quality Lifestyle’s complaint and conducted an investigation.