Attorney general hits trailer park with 2nd suit

Coakley alleges age discrimination against in-home care attendant

By Owen Boss

ORANGE — Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed a housing discrimination and consumer protection complaint against Leisure Wood Estates, a mobile home site operator who allegedly refused to allow a disabled homeowner’s daughter to move in with her as a caretaker because her daughter was younger than age 55. The complaint — the second filed since April — alleges that the mobile home park violated state anti-discrimination laws and committed unfair and deceptive acts and practices in violation of state consumer protection laws by attempting to impose an unauthorized over-55 age requirement for park occupants. According to a press release, the homeowner has lived at the park since 2003, was diagnosed with multiple disabilities and requires the presence of a live-in caretaker to assist her with major life activities. The complaint alleges that Leisure Woods refused to let the homeowner’s 49-year-old daughter move in with her, claiming that the park rules had changed to limit occupancy to residents over the age of 55. “We are concerned that this is the second alleged instance of discriminatory conduct by this park owner in the past few months,” said Ms. Coakley. “The right of a disabled homeowner to have reasonable accommodations for the use and enjoyment of her home is of primary importance. The process that owners must follow when seeking to change park occupancy rules is intended to ensure that the rights of occupants and future tenants are protected. Our office remains committed to ensuring protections for persons with disabilities and to addressing discriminatory housing practices.” The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Leisure Woods to approve the occupancy of the daughter and her husband in the homeowner’s unit, an order prohibiting the defendant from imposing any age restrictions on the park, anti-discrimination training for Leisure Woods’ employees, future compliance with anti-discrimination laws, damages to the disabled homeowner and monetary penalties for the violation of the consumer protection laws. Calls to the mobile home park were not returned Thursday. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 7/18/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 169)