The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Hawaii has reached a $162,500 settlement in a lawsuit concerning alleged discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced that the case involved Kailua Village Condominium Association, its managing agent Associa Hawaii, sellers of a condominium unit, and the sellers' realtor.
The lawsuit accused these parties of discriminating against an individual with paraplegia who sought to purchase a unit at Kailua Village in October 2021. The complaint filed by the United States claimed that the defendants denied requests for accessible facilities such as parking, a temporary ramp, and an accessible toilet during the escrow period when the complainant was living in the unit under an early occupancy agreement. The alleged discrimination and verbal harassment reportedly led to the complainant withdrawing from the purchase.
Under FHA regulations, it is illegal to discriminate based on disability regarding housing sales or rentals. The act requires reasonable accommodations to provide equal housing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
After filing a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an investigation found reasonable cause to believe discriminatory practices had occurred. This prompted legal action by the Department of Justice on behalf of the complainant.
The resolution came through two Consent Decrees approved by federal court in late 2024 and early 2025. According to these decrees, defendants must pay $162,500 in damages and complete FHA training. Additionally, Kailua Village must implement a DOJ-approved policy on reasonable accommodation and modification while adhering to recordkeeping and reporting requirements for two years to ensure compliance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sydney Spector and Dana Barbata handled litigation alongside the Civil Rights Division's Housing and Civil Enforcement Section.
Individuals suspecting housing discrimination can report it online at www.civilrights.justice.gov or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or www.hud.gov.