Press Release  AG's Office Files Lawsuit Over Claims Of Disability-Based Discrimination At Olmstead Green In Dorchester

BOSTON — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s Office has filed a lawsuit against the landlord and property management company of Olmsted Green in Dorchester for allegedly violating fair housing and consumer protection laws by discriminating against tenants on the basis of disability. 

The suit, filed in Suffolk County Superior Court, alleges that the landlord, Olmsted Green Rental III, LLC, and the property management company, Winn Residential Corporation, repeatedly failed to respond to tenants’ requests for reasonable, disability-related accommodations for maintenance work at the property since at least 2020. 

The case was referred to the AG’s Office after the Boston Fair Housing Commission (BFHC) investigated two separate complaints and found probable cause in both that defendants unlawfully discriminated against tenants with disabilities. 

“I want residents across the state to know that when companies or others violate our laws – especially laws meant to protect people from discrimination – my office can and should be a resource,” said AG Campbell. “We will continue to use every tool available to address discrimination in all its forms.” 

In the suit, the AG’s Office claims the landlord’s and property management company’s pattern of discriminatory conduct placed an unfair burden on tenants with disabilities and resulted in unlawful denial of accommodation requests, including in the BFHC matters. In those cases, two tenants repeatedly requested reasonable accommodations in the form of slight alterations to the building's maintenance procedures, such as scheduling work in advance to avoid disturbing a disabled child.  

Rather than properly recognize and process these reasonable accommodation requests, the defendants repeatedly ignored or inadequately responded to them.

Under state law, it is illegal for building owners and managers to discriminate against people based on their disability. Discriminatory business practices also violate consumer protection laws that prohibit unfair and deceptive conduct.

As outlined in the suit, the AG’s Office is asking the Court to find that the defendants violated the state’s fair housing and consumer protection laws and order them to comply. The AG’s Office is also seeking penalties and damages for the affected tenants. 

This case is part of AG Campbell’s ongoing efforts to enforce the state’s fair housing and consumer protection laws and address housing discrimination across the Commonwealth. Those who have concerns about housing discrimination or believe their rights have been violated are encouraged to call the AGO’s Civil Rights Division at 617-963-2917 or file a complaint online. 

This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Burke of AG Campbell’s Civil Rights Division 

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