Chicago Lawyers’ Committee Files Class-Action Lawsuit Against Mac Properties for Systematic Source of Income Discrimination

Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd. held a press conference today alongside HOPE Fair Housing Center (HOPE) and four Housing Choice Voucher (Voucher) holders who filed a class-action lawsuit against property management company Mac Properties for systemic source of income discrimination against renters who use Vouchers.

Plaintiffs RySheena Moore, Cadeidga Coleman, Janishia Fleming, and Sheliah Thomas Ayanwale are all Black Voucher holders who were searching for rental housing in the Hyde Park neighborhood and contacted Mac Properties about newer or renovated listings with amenities. Mac Properties refused to rent to all four women at these buildings by denying them tours and applications, even though they had apartments available and advertised within their budget. Instead, Mac Properties steered them toward properties they had not expressed interest in, generally older, unrenovated buildings further from the lake and central commercial areas of Hyde Park. The Plaintiffs seek to represent themselves and other Voucher holders impacted by Mac Properties' discriminatory policies toward Voucher holders.

Read the full story in the Sun-Times here

Read the full press release about this lawsuit here