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Case

United States v. Star Management Corp. (D. P.R.)

Overview

On February 27, 2020, the United States filed a consent order and complaint in United States v. Star Management Corp. (D. P.R.), a design & construction lawsuit involving the accessibility provisions of the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. The complaint alleged that Star Management Corp. and its affiliated entities were involved in the design and construction of six multifamily housing developments with approximately 381 FHA-covered units located in Puerto Rico.  All of the properties were built using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits ("LIHTC") and/or funds from the HOME Partnership Investment Program ("HOME funds") or other HUD programs. The complaint alleged that the defendants engaged in a pattern or practice of designing and constructing multifamily housing developments or denying rights to a group of persons in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(C), and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12183(a)(1). The principal violations at the properties include, among other things, a lack of accessible routes to many covered units and public and common use areas due to steps, the absence of curb cuts, vertical level changes, and steep running and cross slopes; a lack of accessible routes into and through the dwelling units due to high thresholds, narrow passage ways, and narrow doors; and adaptive design violations in the bathrooms and kitchens. The proposed consent order, which still must be approved by the court, requires an injunction, fair housing training, record keeping obligations, reporting to the United States for a period of four years, a settlement fund of $175,000 to compensate victims, and retrofits to alleged non-compliant barriers on the accessible routes, in the public and common use areas, and in the covered dwelling units at the five properties.

Press Release (2/28/20)


Case Open Date
Case Name
United States v. Star Management Corp. (D. P.R.)
Topics
Civil Rights
Tags
  • 3:20-cv-01112
  • design and construct
  • disability
  • multifamily dwellings
  • accessible
  • design and construction
  • pattern or practice
  • ground floor units
  • FHA
  • wheelchairs
  • electrical outlets
  • grab bars
  • Accessible Design Requirements
  • americans with disabilities act
Industry Code(s)
  • None
Updated September 20, 2021