Honolulu, Hawaii – The Department of Justice is suing five Hawaii apartment complexes and a prominent construction company over alleged violations of disability law.
On September 30, the federal government filed a pattern or practice complaint in United States v. Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc., et al. (D. Haw.). The complaint alleges that defendants, the designers and the builder, failed to design and construct five multifamily complexes in Hawaii in a manner that complies with the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act.
The lawsuit lists many violations of Fair Housing construction requirements, including narrow doorways, small bathrooms and kitchens, and inaccessible common areas.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt.
