ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint against an East Orange County apartment complex on Thursday, accusing them of discrimination.
The ACLU is suing the apartment’s owner and Concord Management Company because they wouldn't rent to a domestic violence survivor.
The Valencia Forest apartments wanted Hope Nicolas to reveal information that could allow her abuser to find her. She came to Central Florida in December with her children to get away from her abusive ex-husband.
“We could be found and put in serious harm’s way,” Nicolas said.
She passed a credit check and was about to move into the Valencia Forest Apartments, until she refused to give the complex her children's Social Security numbers.
“I really wanted the apartment and I didn't want to be difficult,” Nicolas said. “I wanted to be compliant.”
Nicolas has a new identity but her minor children don't. She feared her ex-husband could have tracked them down. As a result the complex denied her application.
“I felt intimidated and scared all over again,” Nicolas said. “I find it very irresponsible to have children’s Social Security numbers out there.”
The complex told WFTV that as an affordable living development it has to make sure tenants don't make too much money. The complex said it never planned to credit check the children, they wanted to confirm they were Nicolas' children.
WFTV checked and there is no law for domestic violence survivors in situations like this. The ACLU argues there is no law or requirement that prospective tenants have to provide Social Security numbers for minors either.
WFTV
