A.G. CUOMO SETTLES WITH TWO YONKERS REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS TO CURE VIOLATIONS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITES ACT IN NEW RENTAL HOUSING
This is a great victory for the Attorney General and people with disabilities. The AG found six developers, two of whom are in Yonkers had violated the ADA by improperly building apartments that did not meet standards, and caused difficulties for people with disabilities from renting them and/or living in their homes. As part of the agreements, which are available at the links below, notices are being sent to all residents, and if changes are needed to apartments the landlords are required to perform the work at their expense, and money is available for that purpose. The two landlords, Hudson Park Apartments, and 66 Main Street Lofts, cooperated with the investigation. As both of these important projects are keystones in the long term downtown renaissance of the Yonkers waterfront district, it is especially important that they set an example of complying with all Federal, State and Local laws, and that people are offered housing fairly and equally without discrimination.
The following are portions of the press relaease and links to the consents.
NEW YORK, NY (April 5, 2010) – Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced agreements with six large real estate developers of rental apartment complexes to ensure equal access to housing for people with disabilities.
…must make or offer to make retrofits to apartments and common areas to ensure that people with disabilities have the full use and enjoyment of the facilities. The developers must also collectively pay $145,000 (for 6 developers) to compensate individuals who were harmed by the inaccessible housing. They will also work with an independent expert to certify that future construction of apartment complexes is in compliance with New York State and federal accessibility laws.
“Equal access to housing is a right guaranteed by law and no one should have problems living in their own home because they are disabled,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “My office is committed to enforcing fair housing and removing barriers for all New Yorkers.”
…developers, who all cooperated with the Attorney General’s investigation, must complete retrofits for units and the common areas, including making sidewalks accessible by eliminating excess slopes and level changes. They must also provide accessible parking and routes to amenities such as pools, social rooms, mailboxes, and trash facilities. Furthermore, the agreements require retrofitting of bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, thermostats, and outlets in designated apartments.
Tenants living in the buildings will receive a notice advising them of the law and the structural changes to be made to the exterior and interior of their units. Tenants will be able to request additional modifications to increase accessibility. The modification will be free of charge to the tenants. Additionally, tenants who were harmed as a result the developers’ failure to construct the property as legally required will be eligible to receive restitution by submitting a claim to the Attorney General. The Attorney General will then evaluate the claims for compensation and disburse restitution from a $145,000 fund that will be paid by the developers.
MAIN STREET LOFTS YONKERS, LLC 1.pdf Agreement
HUDSON PARK INVESTORS, LLC &; COLLINS YONKERS II, LLC 1.pdf Agreement
