U.S. Department
of Justice
United States v. J. Randolph Parry Architects, P.C. (E.D. Pa.)
On December 11, 2020, the United States filed a complaint in United States v. J. Randolph Parry Architects, P.C. (E.D. Pa.) alleging that J. Randolph Parry Architects, P.C. (“Parry”), the architect and main defendant in the case, engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination and denial of rights to a group of persons on the basis of disability in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, the complaint alleges that Parry failed to design and construct at least 15 multifamily senior living complexes in four states with accessibility features required under the FHA and ADA. The complaint also names as defendants seven other entities that originally owned the subject properties located in Pennsylvania, and six entities that currently own those properties.
On April 13, 2022, the Court entered a consent order resolving the United States’ claims against Lifequest Nursing Center, the owner of the Lifequest Assisted Living Center in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. The consent order requires Lifequest to perform retrofits to make the Lifequest Assisted Living Center more accessible, pay $24,000 into a settlement fund to compensate individuals harmed by the inaccessible housing, and pay a civil penalty of $14,000 to vindicate the public interest. The consent order also includes other injunctive relief, including training on the FHA and ADA.
On September 28, 2022, the Court entered a consent order resolving the United States’ claims against Parry. The consent order requires Parry to contribute $350,000 to a retrofit fund to be used for retrofits at the properties, to pay $75,000 into a settlement fund to compensate individuals harmed by the inaccessible housing, and pay a civil penalty of $25,000 to the government to vindicate the public interest. The retrofits will, among other things, make the kitchens and bathrooms at the properties more accessible and usable. The consent order also includes other injunctive relief, such as training on the FHA and ADA, and plan review by the government.
On January 10, 2023, the Court entered a consent order with defendants GAHC3 Bethlehem PA ILF, LLC, GAHC3 Palmyra PA ALF, LLC, and GAHC3 Boyertown PA ALF, LLC, the current owners of Traditions of Hanover in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Traditions of Hershey in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, and Chestnut Knoll in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, respectively. Under the consent order, GAHC3 agreed to perform retrofits to make these properties more accessible.
On May 10, 2023, the Court entered a consent order resolving the United States’ claims against The Views at Pine Valley I, LP, the owner of the Cedar Views Apartments in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The consent order requires The Views to perform retrofits to make Cedar Views more accessible and pay $40,000 into a settlement fund to compensate individuals harmed by the inaccessible housing. The consent order also includes other injunctive relief, including training on the FHA and ADA.
On May 18, 2023, the Court entered a consent order resolving the United States’ claims against One Newtown Properties, LP, the former owner of the Birches of Newtown. The consent order requires One Newtown to perform retrofits to make the Birches of Newtown more accessible and pay $40,000 into a settlement fund to compensate individuals harmed by the inaccessible housing. The consent order also includes other injunctive relief, including training on the FHA and ADA.
On June 5, 2023, the Court entered a consent order resolving the United States’ claims against HCRI Pennsylvania Properties, Inc., the former owner of the Birches of Harleysville. The consent order requires HCRI Pennsylvania Properties to perform retrofits to make the Birches of Harleysville more accessible and pay $40,000 into a settlement fund to compensate individuals harmed by the inaccessible housing. The consent order also includes other injunctive relief, including training on the FHA and ADA.
On November 2, 2023, the court entered two consent orders, one resolving the United States’ claims against One Boyertown Properties, L.P., the former owner of Chestnut Knoll, and the other resolving the United States’ claims against Westrum Hanover, L.P., the former owner of Traditions of Hanover. Each of the consent orders requires the defendant to pay $15,000 into a settlement fund to compensate individuals harmed by the inaccessible housing. Each of the consent orders also includes a general injunction prohibiting the defendant from discriminating against individuals on the basis of disability in violation of the FHA and ADA.
The Court has also entered consent orders with the current owners of three other properties to ensure they allow access to the properties to enable completion of any required retrofits.
On November 2, 2021, the Court entered a consent order with defendant 1180 Ben Franklin Way LLC to ensure access to the Keystone Villa property in Douglassville, Pennsylvania.
On November 28, 2022, the Court entered a consent order with defendant Care HSL Newtown Propco LP to ensure access to the Birches at Newtown property in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
On November 28, 2022, the Court entered a consent order with defendant Care HSL Harleysville Propco LP to ensure access to the Birches at Harleysville property in Harleysville, Pennsylvania.
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