AG Schwalb Files First Lawsuit Enforcing New Anti-Discrimination Protections for Voucher Holders
Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced the filing of a housing discrimination lawsuit seeking to enforce new protections for DC tenants that went into effect in 2022. In a lawsuit filed against two local real estate companies—Bailey Real Estate Holdings, LLC and 1537 Gales Street NE, LLC—and two individuals who operate those companies, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) asserts that the defendants illegally discriminated against voucher holders based on their prior payment history and sealed eviction records, and illegally stated a preference for certain types of vouchers over others. The lawsuit also claims that the defendants illegally refused to accept housing vouchers at some properties, falsely telling prospective tenants with vouchers that apartments were unavailable. With this suit, OAG is seeking a court order to stop the discrimination, as well as civil penalties and other costs.