NJP in the News: Keeping a litigious corporate landlord in check

A lawsuit against discrimination in housing, filed in 2019, may now help keep the same property owners in check, as they scoop up three new properties in Tacoma. Robert Elon Mix, a disabled veteran, sued Dimension Townhouses LLC and its affiliate after they acquired his apartment complex and altered payment terms, leading to late fees and forcing Mix to move out. The lawsuit, filed by Northwest Justice Project (NJP) alleged violations of the state law against discrimination and the Residential Landlord Tenant Act. It claimed that Dimension failed to accommodate Mix’s need to pay rent in two installments due to the timing of his disability-related income. Dimension denied the claims and sought over $4,000 for damages. The case was settled with a consent decree requiring Dimension to follow fair housing laws, complete disability accommodation training, include non-discrimination language in their ads, and compensate Mix. Attorney Scott Crain, who served on the NJP legal team, told the News Tribune: “Part of the reason we got that consent decree in place was to try to get Dimension to understand fair housing laws, train their employees and do better in the future.” As the company has now acquired three new properties that previously partially qualified as affordable housing for low-income seniors and disabled individuals, the consent decree continues to stand as “an important milestone in hopes of avoiding future disputes,” Crain told the News Tribune. Read more here.