The Town of East Hampton Housing Authority has agreed to pay $82,500 to a family and overhaul its assistance-animal policies after a federal lawsuit alleged it refused to let a minor tenant live with his emotional support dog.
The settlement was announced Thursday by Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Federal prosecutors alleged the housing authority violated the Fair Housing Act by denying a disability-related accommodation requested for the child.
According to the lawsuit, the authority maintained for 19 months during 2021 and 2022 that emotional support animals did not qualify for reasonable accommodations under federal housing law.
The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to make reasonable changes to rules and policies when necessary to give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their homes.
Under the settlement, the housing authority must adopt a revised policy for handling assistance-animal requests. Emotional support animals may qualify as assistance animals when a tenant demonstrates a disability-related need.
The authority must also revise its pet policy, notify tenants about the new accommodation rules and train employees involved in managing, leasing or enforcing rules at its properties.
Federal officials will monitor the authority’s compliance. The agreement also requires recordkeeping and regular reports detailing accommodation requests, decisions and the reasons behind any denials.
The $82,500 payment compensates the family for claimed pain and suffering and includes attorneys’ fees. The settlement will remain in effect for three years.
Nocella said the agreement is intended to ensure that tenants who require assistance animals have the same opportunity to use and enjoy their homes as other residents.
The parties agreed to resolve the case without an admission of liability or a trial.
