A class-action lawsuit was filed on Tuesday against Mac Properties, a major apartment management company in Hyde Park, Chicago. Four housing choice voucher holders, along with the nonprofit HOPE Fair Housing Center, allege systemic discrimination against voucher holders seeking to rent in Mac Properties’ newer, higher-end apartments. The complaint, filed in federal court, claims Mac Properties steers voucher holders toward older, less desirable buildings, often lacking amenities found in their preferred properties.
Plaintiffs report being denied applications or tours of certain buildings once leasing agents learned they were using vouchers. Others claim agents falsely stated that no units were available in desired properties, only to have those same units become available to non-voucher holders shortly after. The suit estimates Mac Properties owns approximately 100 buildings in and around Hyde Park, comprising over 5,000 units, and also operates in Kansas City and St. Louis. The class action potentially includes over 40 voucher holders who experienced this alleged discrimination since December 17, 2021.
Tory Tilton, an attorney representing the class, stated that Mac Properties’ substantial market share in Hyde Park makes them a significant player in the South Side rental market. The company denies any wrongdoing, claiming the allegations are baseless and misrepresent the facts, citing the hundreds of renters who have successfully used vouchers to secure housing within their 5,000-unit portfolio. HOPE Fair Housing Center, a plaintiff in the suit, has been investigating Mac Properties for years due to numerous complaints. Their investigation, including using trained testers, confirmed the voucher holders’ experiences.
The plaintiffs, all Black women, detail their struggles in securing suitable housing. Sheliah Ayanwale, for instance, recounts multiple attempts to apply for an apartment, only to be met with evasion and discouragement once her voucher was mentioned. Similarly, RySheena Moore, a U.S. Army veteran, describes being promised a tour but subsequently told no units were available in her price range, despite later confirmation that units were, in fact, available.
HOPE’s investigation, including using trained testers, confirmed these accounts. Testers using vouchers received different treatment and information compared to those who didn’t mention them, highlighting a pattern of discrimination. Mac Properties’ concentration of apartments in Hyde Park, a Chicago Housing Authority mobility area, further complicates the issue, as these areas are desirable for voucher holders seeking better housing options and community resources.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Illinois Human Rights Act (for income and racial discrimination), the federal Fair Housing Act, and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. While Mac Properties claims hundreds have successfully used vouchers, the plaintiffs argue that even if some voucher holders secured housing, the practice of steering them towards less desirable properties still constitutes discrimination. Many complainants are so frustrated that they’ve given up on moving, instead hoping to stop Mac Properties’ practices. The lawsuit also seeks compensation for HOPE’s investigation. The plaintiffs ultimately seek an end to discriminatory practices and equal housing opportunities for all, regardless of income source.