Woodbridge Apartment Complex Hit with Disabled Access Settlement

Federal prosecutors have hit the Crossings at Summerland Apartments in Woodbridge, Va., with a $50,000 fine for failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The settlement stems from allegations that the 126-unit complex was not designed or constructed to meet accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities.

According to federal prosecutors, the apartment complex’s developers violated the Fair Housing Act by neglecting to ensure that common areas and ground floor units were accessible. The complaint filed in the Eastern District of Virginia cited a lack of ramps, elevators, and other features necessary for people with disabilities to live independently.

‘Accessible housing is a basic necessity for people with disabilities,’ Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, stated. ‘This case underscores our commitment to enforcing fair housing laws on behalf of those who need it most.’

The settlement requires the defendants, including Summerland Heights III LP and Marlyn Development Corporation, to pay all costs associated with making the complex accessible and establish a $30,000 fund to compensate affected individuals. The defendants will also pay a $20,000 civil penalty and undergo training on the ADA requirements.

Since 2001, federal prosecutors have filed over 280 cases to enforce the Fair Housing Act, with nearly half involving disability discrimination. For more information on the Civil Rights Division or to report housing discrimination, visit www.usdoj.gov/crt or contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743.

The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. If you suspect housing discrimination, don’t hesitate to call the tip line, email fairhousing@usdoj.gov, or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777.