United States v. Howitt-Paul (W.D.N.Y.)

On January 20, 2022, the court entered a consent order in United States v. Howitt-Paul Road, LLC (W.D.N.Y.).   The election complaint, filed on December 3, 2021, alleges that Defendants Howitt-Paul Road, LLC d/b/a Greenwood Townhomes, Midland Management, LLC, and Amy Kells  -- the owner and property managers of a 110-unit townhouse complex in Rochester, New York -- violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to rent a unit to the complainant because she had an assistance dog.  The consent order requires the defendants to pay the complainant $10,000, adopt a new assistance animal policy, and obtain Fair Housing Act 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.