(800) 399-4529
CALENDAR
SEARCH
EXIT
DONATE

DREDF and LAFLA Sue 22 Housing Providers for Source-of-Income Discrimination in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Calif. – Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) and co-counsel Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) have filed a lawsuit against 22 providers of rental housing in the City of Los Angeles for alleged source-of-income discrimination. The providers are accused of refusing to rent to a disabled participant of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8).

The Section 8 program is financed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide rent subsidies in the form of housing assistance payments to private landlords on behalf of extremely low, very low-income individuals/families, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. It has been illegal to discriminate against Section 8 participants under California law since January 1, 2020. Still, discrimination remains widespread and disproportionately impacts BIPOC and disabled people.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit, Robert Gardner, alleges that each of the providers named in his complaint turned him away when he tried to rent their available apartments, telling him it was their policy not to accept Section 8. “For almost a year, I experienced widespread housing discrimination when seeking housing to rent with my voucher,” says Gardner. “I hope this lawsuit teaches landlords that source-of-income protections are not an option, but the law.”

“For low-income and disabled tenants, voucher programs like Section 8 are the difference between housing stability and homelessness,” said DREDF Senior Attorney Michelle Uzeta. “Additional resources must be put into combatting Section 8 discrimination and ensuring that the vouchers have the impact they are supposed to – that is – getting people into available rental units.”

“With over 43,000 families participating in the Section 8 program in the City of Los Angeles it is imperative that landlords follow the law and accept tenants in the community that rely on the Section 8 program,” stated LAFLA attorney Manuel Villagomez. “Presently there are thousands of voucher holders, many who have waited years to obtain their one hope for stable affordable homes, who cannot find housing. Landlords who refuse to accept Section 8 are not only violating the law, but also exacerbating the housing and homelessness crisis.”

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court (Gardner v. Serrano Family Apartment LTD LP et al., Case No: 23STCV01872), alleges violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Unruh Civil Rights Act, among other claims, and seeks policy changes, fair housing training and monetary damages. Read the full complaint here.

Notice

All LAFLA offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025 in observance of Independence Day.

Todas las oficinas de LAFLA estarán cerradas el viernes 4 de julio de 2025 en observancia del Día de la Independencia.

저희 사무실은금요일, 7월 4일에 휴무입니다.

该办公室将于星期五, 7月4日关闭。

該辦公室將於星期五, 7月4日關閉。

Các văn phòng của chúng tôi đóng cửa vào Thư sáu, Ngày 4, Tháng 7.

ส ำนักงำนเรำปิดท ำกำร วันศุกรสบด4 กรกฎำคม

この事務所は金曜日7月 4日休業とさせていただきます。

ការិយាល័យរបស់យើងបិទនៅថ្ងៃសុក, 07/04/2025. 

Wildfire Recovery 
Resources