August 2, 2023
TAMPA, Florida, August 2, 2023 – JD Howlette Law announced its representation in a pivotal federal lawsuit involving allegations of unlawful discriminatory housing practices in Tampa, Florida.
The case involves an elderly African American who was subjected to discriminatory housing practices based on his race while residing at the Springs at Palma Sola Apartments. In his Amended Complaint, Mr. Kwame Eaddy alleges that, despite timely paying rent from December 2018 through January 2021, his landlord intentionally treated him differently than his White neighbors by:
Ignoring his maintenance service requests for over a year;
Targeting him with frivolous rule violation notices and an eviction action;
Charging him unjustified fees that he did not owe; and
Refusing to accept his last month's rent because the payment did not include the extra fees.
The lawsuit brings forth claims under the Fair Housing Act, a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability.
Adding weight to the allegations, the Florida Commission on Human Relations recently issued a report which found reasonable cause to believe that a discriminatory housing practice occurred.