U.S. Department
of Justice
Disability Rights Cases
City of Anoka, Minnesota
On November 7, 2023, the United States issued a letter of findings concluding that the City of Anoka, Minnesota, violated Title II of the ADA and the Fair Housing Act by denying tenants with mental health disabilities an equal opportunity to receive emergency assistance. The City, through enforcement of its so-called “crime free” housing ordinance and by sharing confidential medical information relating to calls for emergency service with all landlords, deterred individuals with mental health disabilities and those associated with them from calling for emergency help and threatened their current housing or future housing prospects.
On May 21, 2024, the United States filed a complaint and the parties entered a proposed consent decree to resolve its findings. Under the proposed consent decree, the City has agreed to pay $175,000 to compensate harmed individuals; end its practice of publicizing the disability, medical, and health information of individuals with mental health disabilities; adopt non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures; notify landlords, property owners, and tenants of changes to the program; designate an ADA coordinator; train staff; and report to the United States.
City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
On April 18, 2024, the Justice Department entered into a settlement agreement under Title II of the ADA with the City of Virginia Beach, VA, a jurisdiction that has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the country, many with service-connected disabilities. Under the agreement, the City will ensure the accessibility of its facilities, curb ramps, websites, and emergency management procedures, that it provides effective communication in its programs, and that it trains City staff about the requirements of the ADA.
City of Killeen, TX
On June 29, 2021, the United States entered a settlement agreement under Title II of the ADA with the City of Killeen, Texas, to remove architectural barriers to access in buildings such as City Hall, police stations, libraries, technology centers, community centers and places of recreation. The agreement requires the City to make changes to its facilities so that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, restrooms, signage, service counters and drinking fountains are accessible to people with disabilities, and that auditoriums and arenas have the required wheelchair and companion seating. The agreement also requires the City to provide aids and services to ensure effective communication for individuals with hearing disabilities, establish accessible emergency shelters and services, assure that its websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities and implement a plan for the accessibility of sidewalks and curb cuts within the City.