Operators of Lenexa apartment complex settle federal discrimination claim

Lenexa apartment complex operators complex who allegedly required residents younger than 16 to be accompanied by an adult at all times will pay $170,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The lawsuit filed against Brisben Chimney Hills Limited Partnership and JRK Residential America, which owns the Reserve apartment complex, alleged that a family was forced to leave after complaining to management about the restrictive policies.

The management group and a former manager will pay $60,000 to the family that filed the initial complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It also will pay $100,000 into a victim fund to compensate other families affected by the policy, and $10,000 to the federal government.

A federal judge still must approve the settlement. The apartment complex owners, who have properties in Missouri, also must receive training on fair housing regulations.

“Kansas families with children deserve the right to live where they choose and to be free from housing discrimination,” U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a written statement about the settlement.

After the family complained about the policy restricting children’s activities, their lease was not renewed and they were forced to leave the apartment complex, officials said. After HUD investigated, it issued a charge of discrimination and referred the case to the Justice Department.

Federal authorities alleged that the apartment owners violated the family’s rights, that the restrictive policies discriminated against other families with children, and that the owners engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination. The apartment operators also denied rights protected under federal fair housing regulations.

This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 2:27 PM with the headline "Operators of Lenexa apartment complex settle federal discrimination claim."