The state is suing an Inglewood landlord for allegedly screening out a prospective tenant based on his use of housing assistance through a Veterans Affairs program, it was announced Tuesday.
According to the lawsuit, despite actively looking for another place to live, Patrick Paige, a disabled veteran, struggled to find housing — ultimately having to live out of hotels when he could afford it, or out of his truck when he could not.
As part of the state’s lawsuit over the alleged denial of Veterans Affairs Supporting Housing, the California Civil Rights Department is seeking monetary damages and changes to the rental policies of Myrtle Properties.
“Veterans have served their country,” CRD Director Kevin Kish said in a statement. “The least we can do is have their backs. We’re going to court to protect access to a key program for veterans in our state. It’s unacceptable to push people onto the street because they use housing assistance. We all deserve a fair chance to have a place to call home.”
A representative of Myrtle Properties could not immediately be reached for comment.
Under California law, landlords and housing providers cannot refuse to rent to people based on their use of housing assistance programs, such as vouchers and rental subsidies, the lawsuit states.
According to the complaint filed May 19 in Los Angeles Superior Court, Myrtle Properties is owned by Horace Mellon, while his daughter, Maygan Orr, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the property.