Edina Condo Owner, Association Settle Discrimination Claim

The homeowners of an Edina condominium who allege they were victims of discrimination will be paid more than $40,000 as part of a settlement with the complex's roperty management company.

The 7000 Sandell Condominium Association's off-site manager Paul L Bonzonie will pay the owner of the unit $30,000, pay his attorney $12,200 and will allow the couple and their children to live in the condominium without fear of retaliation or harassment.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) previously charged the property management company and its off-site manager with violating the Fair Housing Act by prohibiting children who are minors from living in the building, despite the fact the property did not meet federal qualifications to be elderly housing.

“Condominium associations may not routinely deny families the right to have their children live with them,” stated John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD will continue to take action any time a family’s fair housing rights are violated just because they have children."

According to the original complaint filed with HUD, the condominium association told the 57-year-old homeowner and his wife that they were violating the association's document by allowing their minor sons to live with them for more than 30 days in a calendar year. The association also levied fines against them and initiated a lawsuit in Minnesota state court to attempt to keep the children out of the condo, according to the complaint.

HUD alleged the condominium association did not meet federal requirements for elderly housing as it did not formally and routinely variety the ages of the complex's residents. As part of the consent order, the condo association will also begin implementing age verification procedures for the condominium association.

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