Vt. Human Rights Comm'n, HV19-0018, Investigative Report & Reasonable Grounds Determination

VT Human Rights Commission [phone] 8oz-828-248o
14-16 Baldwin Street lfaxl 8oz-828-248r
Montpelier, VT o5633-63or
http //hrc.vermont. gov
:
ltddl 877-294-9zoo
[tollfree] r-8oo-4r6-zorO

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

HRC Case No. HVi9-0018

COMPLAINANT: Osheita Weygant

RESPONDENT: James Deery

CHARGE: Housing Discrimination based on

receiving public assistance

SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT

In20I6, Ms. Weygant rented an apartment for herself and her young daughter, who is autistic.
Ms. Weygant began receiving Section 8 housing assistance in June of 2017.In May of 2018, the
owner and landlord, Mr. Deery, told Ms. Weygant that he would no longer be accepting Section
8 voucher payments. Ms. Weygant believes Mr. Deery terminated their tenancy and treated her
differently than other tenants because of
she receives a Section 8 voucher, in violation of the
Vermont Fair Housing and Public Accommodations Act.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSE

, Mr. Deery admitted that he stopped accepting Section 8
because he didn't want to agree to changes in the Bennington Housing Authority's rules for
landlords.

PRELIMINARY ATIONS

..-\.VERMONT
 2) This investigation makes a preliminary recommendation to the VHRC to find there are
reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Deery discriminated against Ms. Weygant based
on her receipt of public assistance in violation of the Vermont Fair Housing and Public
Accommodations Act (VFHPAA), 9 V.S.A. $a503(a)(1).

INTERVIEWS

o James Deery - 6113l20l9
. Penny Taylor, Bennington Housing Authority - 6l17l20l9
. Osheita Weygant - 612512019
o Aaron Lundy - 612512019
DOCUMENTS