Baltimore Apartment Sued For Subhuman Treatment

A multi-family complex in northwest Baltimore was recently sued by eight low-income, disabled residents for alleged discriminatory practices and subhuman treatment.

February 15, 2005 – A multi-family complex in northwest Baltimore was recently sued by eight low-income, disabled residents for alleged discriminatory practices and subhuman treatment.

The complaint made by the eight residents was filed with the Maryland Commission of Human Rights. Included in the complaint filed is a suit against the complex' owner violating Maryland's Fair Housing Law, as well as a court order to end discriminatory practices and fair housing and disability training of employees.

According to reports compiled by the residents, Foxwell Memorial Apartments allegedly committed abusive discriminatory practices that resulted to the terror experienced by the disabled residents daily. The attorney representing the residents said that the subhuman treatment was provided by the "people who are supposed to help them."

The attorney further stated, "The behavior is outrageous and the residents are routinely humiliated. In my 10 years of practice, I've never seen anything like it."

Examples of pervasively hostile and exploitative living situations include a 20-year tenant with cerebral palsy who found her wheelchair had been tossed in the dumpster after she left it in the lobby to go to church. When she inquired about her wheelchair after coming back from the church, employees of the apartment denied having seen the wheelchair. The next morning, the tenant got the wheelchair back from the employees and was told that they'd throw it back in the dumpster if they ever see it again in the lobby. The tenant was so afraid that she now leaves her wheelchair in her apartment.

Security personnel and management staff were also verbally abusive to the residents. According to tenants, they constantly get yelled and cursed at by the apartment employees. They even refuse to let the residents use the restrooms on the ground floor.

Another six-year resident, Andre Thomas, recalled how his car was towed from a handicapped parking area in front of the building after he was told to move it. "My apartment is on the second floor overlooking the lot and I called down to the tow truck driver that I was coming," he said. Thomas, who has multiple sclerosis and carpal tunnel syndrome, was completely ignored although the tow truck driver knew of his condition. Adding insult to injury, Thomas had to pay $225 to get his car back and was not reimbursed.

Another resident complained of routinely receiving written notices while the management knows that she is blind. According to her, she offered to fix the problem many times, and even offered to provide free ways to type letters in Braille. Like many of the other tenants, she never got a response.

Thomas observed that because the complex was run more like a jail or mental institution, most of the residents leave early in the morning and come back after five in the afternoon to avoid the abusive staff. Still others are afraid to leave their apartments.

Other tenants complained that they are subjected to retaliation if they complain. These include random and surprise inspections of their units; guests were turned away at
the main entrance; harassment; letters of eviction; as well as being denied the use of the community room in the complex.

"It's a big fear being part of the suit. They may put me out," one of the resident said. "But something has to be done."

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