HUD Alleges Edina Condo Building Discriminates Against Children

An Edina condominium building is facing discrimination charges from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on allegations they refused to allow children under 18 to live at the property.

According to charges from HUD, the 7000 Sandell Condominium Association, New Concepts Management Group property management company and off-site manager Paul L. Bonzonie all violated the Fair Housing Act by prohibiting children who are minors from living in the building, despite the fact the property did not meet federal qualifications to be elderly housing.

The building in question is located in the 7000 block of Sandell Avenue.

"Denying a family's right to have their children live in their home is against the law," HUD’s Region V Administrator Antonio R. Riley said in a release. "HUD is committed to taking action against housing providers who unlawfully deny housing to families because they have children."

Patch reached out to New Concepts Management for comment, with a spokesman saying the company is working to resolve the situation.

"We disagree with HUD's action and we look forward to resolving the matter," he said.

HUD alleges the condominium association and its property managers discriminated against the owners of a unit in the building by telling them they violated the property's Declaration for Condominium by allowing their children to live with them for more than 30 days in a calendar year.

HUD claims the condo association and property managers levied fines against the owners and initiated a lawsuit in Minnesota state court to keep the children out of the building. The complex did not meet federal requirements to qualify as housing for older persons, HUD said, as the condo association failed to formally and routinely verify the ages of the complex's residents.

The judge overseeing the case could award damages to the complainant or impose fines to the condo association and/or property managers if he or she decides that discrimination has occurred.

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