(Clients names changed for privacy. Photo not that of the client.)
Although “Jim” was no longer married to the mother of his stepson “Bryan,” when Bryan asked to come live with him, Jim welcomed the young man into his home. He knew he could provide Bryan the safe, stable environment the teen needed.
Unfortunately, when Jim contacted his landlord, a local housing authority, he was told he could not add Bryan to his lease without a court document granting him custody of his stepson. Although Jim had provided written permission from his stepson’s mother, the landlord said that wasn’t good enough. His landlord further threatened to evict him and his other son for housing an unauthorized occupant.
That’s when Jim contacted JALA. Staff attorney Mary DeVries notified Jim’s landlord that it is unlawful under The Fair Housing Act to discriminate against households because of familial status, including when a parent gives written permission for their child to reside with another person.
The definition of “family” under the Fair Housing Act is appropriately broad and protects families with children without regard to whether the adults in the household are the child’s biological parents. After hearing from DeVries, the landlord quickly changed its mind and permitted Jim to add Bryan to his lease.
Bryan is now enrolled in a local charter high school, and the family remains stably housed.
