MFHC Press Release
HUD Issues Determination of Reasonable Cause in Holyoke Housing Discrimination Case
57 Suffolk Street,
Holyoke, MA 01040
Contact: Meris Bergquist, Executive Director (413) 539-9796 x 108
Holyoke, MA, Wednesday January 25, 2012. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a determination of reasonable cause on January 12, 2012 in a case the Housing Discrimination Project, Inc. (HDP) d/b/a the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center (MFHC) brought against N.A.G. Realty, LLC and its Manager, Nilma Y. Fichera. The complaint alleged that Respondents, N.A.G. Realty and Ms. Fichera, were discriminating against families with minor children by refusing to rent to these families because of the presence of lead paint. The property at issue is a 24-unit apartment building located at 728 Hampden Street in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
After a thorough investigation that yielded evidence of housing discrimination, MFHC filed its original HUD complaint on May 5, 2011. MFHC claimed that N.A.G. Realty refused to rent to families with children under the age of 6 and made discriminatory statements and advertisements. HUD is asking N.A.G. Realty to cease these discriminatory actions and compensate complainants for their monetary damages.
According to MFHC Executive Director, Meris Bergquist, “Children have a right to live in lead-safe housing. MFHC and HUD are working together to protect children from lead poisoning and housing discrimination. Through this enforcement effort we hope to create many new lead safe units in Holyoke and open up the rental housing market to families with children.”
About the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center
Since 1989, the Housing Discrimination Project, Inc. (HDP) d/b/a the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center (MFHC) has been in the forefront of the effort to eliminate housing discrimination in Western Massachusetts. MFHC engages in extensive educational activities to inform community members about their right to equal housing opportunities. MFHC also provides trainings to housing industry professionals to educate them about their responsibilities under the law. When an individual suspects housing discrimination, MFHC will counsel the client, investigate the complaint and, in appropriate cases, provide free legal representation. MFHC’s legal advocacy helps to promote housing choice, preserve tenancies, avoid homelessness, create lead-safe housing for children, and provide disabled tenants with equal access to housing. MFHC has maintained its office in Holyoke for over 22 years and provides all of its services in English and Spanish.
If you suspect you have been a victim of housing discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, disability, presence of minor children, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran’s status, or receipt of Section 8 housing assistance, please call MFHC at (413) 539-9796 x 101 (phone) or (413) 533-9978 (fax).
For further information contact:
Meris L. Bergquist
Executive Director
413-539-9796 x 108
MFHC receives funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, and the cities of Springfield and Northampton.
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