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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wanda Seeney (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 13, 2008
Realty Company Settles Housing Discrimination Case
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) settled a case alleging that a realty company failed to rent to a person because of his disability. In housing, discrimination against someone because of their disability violates the Missouri Human Rights Act. The MCHR filed suit before the Administrative Hearings Commission after investigating the discrimination complaint filed by the rental applicant, finding merit, and attempting to reach a voluntary settlement through the agency’s conciliation process.
In the case brought before the Administrative Hearings Commission, the MCHR charged that the company refused to rent an apartment to the applicant because of his disability. The company denied discrimination but agreed to settle the matter for $1,500.
“Housing providers cannot allow assumptions about disabilities to interfere with a person’s right to enjoy equal housing,” said Alisa Warren, Executive Director of the MCHR.
The MCHR is responsible for enforcing the Missouri Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), disability and age (in employment only) and familial status (in housing only).
In Fiscal Year 2008, the MCHR received 2,081 discrimination complaints. Of those complaints, 2,000 were investigated, with 1,640 pertaining to employment, 183 to housing, and 177 related to public accommodations.
Additional information about the MCHR is available on the Internet site www.dolir.mo.gov/hr or by calling (573) 751-3325.
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