DFEH SETTLES HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF DISABLED VETERAN FOR $106,035

Sacramento-Tami Williams, a veteran and retired firefighter and park ranger, recently reached a settlement with Sun Sands RV Resort LLC for $106,035 in exchange for title to her mobile home. Ms. Williams alleged that mobile home park manager, Scott Matas, denied her equal terms and conditions of tenancy on the bases of disability and sexual orientation.

According to Ms. Williams, Matas told her to remove the enclosure outside her unit that housed her washer and dryer, remove a pergola she had installed, which Matas had previously orally authorized and to whom Ms. Williams had twice submitted the necessary plan in advance. He also told her to remove a fence and install a gate to her driveway to allow the fire department access to her unit, for which he also issued Ms. Williams a violation.

Ms. Williams alleged that Matas permitted residents, who did not have a disability and who were not gay, to have pergolas as well as enclosures outside their units housing their washers and dryers, which Matas did not ask them to remove. He also did not ask the other tenants to remove fences and install gates, or issue them a violation, despite their units not allowing the fire department access.

Ms. Williams alleged that Matas permitted residents, who did not have a disability and who were not gay, to have pergolas as well as enclosures outside their units housing their washers and dryers, which Matas did not ask them to remove. He also did not ask the other tenants to remove fences and install gates, or issue them a violation, despite their units not allowing the fire department access.

In addition to the monetary settlement, representatives from Sun Sands RV Resort will have to undergo training in Fair Housing laws. The settlement was mediated by USC Gould School of Law’s Advanced Mediation Clinic, which partners with DFEH’s Dispute Resolution Division.

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws. CRD’s mission is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state-funded programs and activities, and from hate violence and human trafficking. For more information, visit calcivilrights.ca.gov.

View (PDF) DFEH SETTLES HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF DISABLED VETERAN FOR $106,035