CONCORD – United States District Judge Steven J. McAuliffe has approved a consent decree resolving allegations that former Manchester landlords Marc Morin and Tracy Stapula Morin violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA), U.S. Attorney Jane Young announces.
In a complaint filed on December 4, 2024, the United States alleged that the Morins discriminated against a tenant at a residential rental property in Manchester by refusing to consider the tenant’s reasonable accommodation request.
The tenant sought an exception to the property’s no-pets rule to reside with an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), a Yorkshire terrier mix. The tenant, who has diagnosed mental health disorders, had the dog as an ESA. After the tenant requested permission to have the ESA reside with her and shared a letter from her health care provider recommending that she have the ESA to assist with her disability, the Morins refused and instead attempted to evict the tenant three times. The Morins later sold the property.
The Consent Decree resolves the claims in the government’s complaint. The Morins have agreed to pay the tenant $8,500, enact reasonable accommodation policies for its residential properties that comply with the FHA should they become landlords again, and complete FHA training.
“Emotional support animals are a lifeline to the world for many people with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The Fair Housing Act outlines a landlord’s responsibilities to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including support and companionship from animals when necessary. In this case, the tenant provided documentation of her disability and a letter from her therapist recommending emotional support from an animal. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities live a life free of discrimination and have the reasonable accommodations afforded to them by the Fair Housing Act.”
“Many individuals with disabilities rely on assistance animals to maintain their independence and fully enjoy the place they call home,” said HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Diane M. Shelley. “HUD commends the Department of Justice for this settlement and for holding housing providers accountable for compliance with the reasonable accommodation requirements of the Fair Housing Act.”
This lawsuit arose from an administrative complaint filed by the tenant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Upon investigation, HUD determined that there was reasonable cause to believe that the FHA had been violated. One of the parties to the complaint elected, pursuant to the FHA, to have HUD’s determination resolved in federal court, and HUD referred the matter to the Justice Department.
The FHA prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. Individuals who believe that they have been victims of housing discrimination can call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1- 833-591-0291 or submit a report online, or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777.
The case was handled by the Department of Justice’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo.
