LES co-op sued for allegedly denying residents service animals

From left: the view from 573 Grand and the exterior of 573 Grand
From left: the view from 573 Grand and the exterior of 573 Grand

WEEKENDEDITION The federal government is suing a Lower East Side co-op after the building told residents that they were not allowed to keep their emotional support dogs.

The government filed the lawsuit against the East River Housing Corp. on behalf of three mentally unwell residents of 573 Grand Street. The government claims that the building violated the Fair Housing Act, and discriminated against the tenants by refusing to accommodate their disabilities.

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The co-op has a no-pet clause, which it used to try and evict the tenants and their service animals, according to the Villager. The lawsuit, which is now pending, is seeking relief from violations of the Fair Housing Act, monetary damages, and a civil penalty against East River Housing Corp. [The Villager]Christopher Cameron