Pensacola Property Management Alleges Discrimination by US HUD

AND Pensacola Real Estate Manager faces accusations of discrimination after US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Thursday that the man allegedly failed various supports for the tenant’s physical disability.

HUD says Jonathan Faircloth, acting property manager for the property owned by Rine Inc., “failed to accommodate requests for reasonable accommodation for a living aide and emotional support animal,” allegedly violating Fair Housing Act.

According to the Florida Department of State, Rine Inc. went into “voluntary dissolution” in 2023, closing its Pace office on Woodbine Road.

After the woman entered into a rental agreement for the property in November 2017, HUD alleges Faircloth knew she was disabled and knew her identifiable income came from Social Security Disability. Despite this information, he allegedly texted her on March 18, 2021, saying, “I assume (redacted) lives in the house, which is also in violation of our lease, something else I chose to leave out.”

In the fall of June 2021, the tenant’s son moved in with her to be her tutor.

HUD says Faircloth served the woman with an eviction notice on May 14, 2021, alleging lease violations due to unauthorized pets and occupants.

Even though the woman allegedly sent Faircloth a copy of her Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter three times during the lease, HUD says that on May 21, 2021, Faircloth sent her a seven-day eviction notice for unauthorized pets and occupants “regardless of prior requests for accommodation for a live-in helper and ESA.”

HUD claims the woman suffered damages, including economic loss, lost housing and emotional distress, as a result of Faircloth’s “discriminatory conduct.”

“Assistant and emotional support animals give people with disabilities the support they need to enjoy their homes equally,” said Diane Shelley, HUD’s principal deputy secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity. “This charge demonstrates HUD’s commitment to take appropriate action when housing providers fail to comply with the Fair Housing Act.”