LI landlord hit with fair housing violation

Norwich Gate

A Long Island landlord has been charged with violating the Fair Housing Act after allegedly refusing to provide a disabled resident with handicapped-accessible parking, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today. The landlord, Heatherwood Communities, which owns and manages the Norwich Gate townhouse rental complex in East Norwich, N.Y., has a first-come, first-served parking policy, which it would not modify at the request of a resident with peripheral vascular and coronary artery disease, HUD charged. The resident claims to have asked for — and been denied — an assigned parking space multiple times, despite explaining that his condition makes it impossible for him to walk long distances. “Housing providers have a legal obligation to modify their policies and practices for persons with disabilities,” said John Trasviña, assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. Heatherwood Communities declined to comment. TRD