On November 6, 2019, our clients, Trinity Sober Living, LLC (“Trinity”), filed a federal Complaint against the Village of Hinsdale, IL after Hinsdale filed an eviction action against Trinity in retaliation for Trinity’s request for a reasonable accommodation to operate a sober living home in Hinsdale. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Fair Housing Act.
Trinity Sober Living owned this house in Hinsdale to provide housing for men recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. (Kimberly Fornek / Pioneer Press)
On June 16, 2019, Trinity purchased a five-bedroom home located in Hinsdale, IL. Trinity interviewed to operate the home as a sober living home for persons in recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction. In August 2019, Trinity made a request for a reasonable accommodation to waive the number of unrelated persons who could live together as a family in order to operate the sober home under the zoning restrictions in Hinsdale. Instead of granting the accommodation, Hinsdale responded by filing a lawsuit to evict Trinity the next day.
On November 24, 2020, the United States Department of Justice filed a companion lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges similar violations of the Fair Housing Act and seeks to enforce its provisions against the Village of Hinsdale. The lawsuit also seeks civil penalties. You can read more about the companion lawsuit here, and well as the DOJ press release here.
Kennedy Hunt, P.C.’s attorneys are experienced in handling Fair Housing matters. Please contact us for a consultation if you believe you have experienced Fair Housing Act violations.