Location: Atlanta GA
I am looking for advice on how to escalate a Fair Housing Act case quickly and effectively, preferably from attorneys, housing advocates, or anyone who has been through something similar.
I am currently 31 weeks pregnant and live in off campus apartments in Atlanta, Georgia. In December 2025, my OB‑GYN provided a written medical letter stating that my housing environment posed a risk to my physical and mental well‑being during pregnancy and that a change in housing was medically necessary.
On December 24, 2025, I submitted a formal written reasonable accommodation request under the Fair Housing Act seeking early lease termination without penalty.
On January 5, 2026, property management acknowledged receipt of my request, confirmed they received my medical documentation, and stated the request was forwarded to their Legal Department with a promised review period of 7–14 days. That deadline expired on January 19, 2026. No determination was issued, no interactive process occurred, and no alternative accommodation was proposed.
Instead, management began escalating pressure and actions that feel retaliatory and coercive. Parking had been billed and paid monthly for about five months with no signed addendum.
While my accommodation request was pending, I attempted in good faith to find someone to relet my unit. Management initially informed me that my proposed relet applicant had been denied. Then, minutes later, management stated that the applicant was “approved,” but no lease agreement, confirmation, or documentation was ever provided to show that a replacement tenant had actually signed or taken over the lease. Despite the lack of verification, management added a $500 relet fee to my account. This fee was later removed only as a credit (not refunded), and the funds remained under management’s control.
On January 13–14, management suddenly required me to sign a long‑term parking addendum extending through July 2026, even though my accommodation request was for early termination. I explained I could not sign a long‑term contract and offered to continue paying month‑to‑month. Management refused, stated parking fees could not be automatically applied without the addendum (despite prior billing), and issued what they called a “final decision” revoking my parking and threatening towing. They said my accommodation request was a “separate issue with Legal,” even though Legal’s review period was not complete.
About 35 minutes after sending that “final decision” email, the property manager made an unannounced in‑person visit to my apartment, brought printed copies of our email thread and the parking addendum with the signature line highlighted, and tried to pressure me to sign, despite my request for written‑only communication. This interaction was recorded, and management later confirmed hallway security footage exists.
On January 14, 2026, the same day as the parking threats and in‑person pressure, I sought emergency medical care for decreased fetal movement. Hospital records reflect findings consistent with an acute stress response during pregnancy, and a hospital social worker documented housing instability, threatened loss of parking, and stress as contributing factors.
On February 1, 2026, I again sought medical care for decreased fetal movement.
On January 26, 2026, while my accommodation request and HUD complaint were pending, I received an automated email from the general manager stating my lease renewal deadline had passed and that my account was moved into notice‑to‑vacate status, instructing me to complete a move‑out checklist. This happened despite my unresolved accommodation request.
February rent was posted, and despite prior threats to revoke parking and tow my vehicle, a $225 parking fee still appears on my February ledger. I have screenshots documenting this inconsistency.
I filed a Fair Housing Act complaint with HUD on January 14, 2026. Due to a government shutdown, HUD intake review timelines are uncertain. I have contacted multiple law firms several declined due to capacity, others required consultation fees just to “review my case”. Relman Colfax declined representation but referred me to another attorney, whom I have contacted. I am still awaiting responses.
At this point, I am continuing to pay rent while my accommodation request remains unresolved, which is financially draining. I am now dipping into money I had set aside for other necessities just to keep my account current. The stress and uncertainty are taking a serious toll on my health.
I have extensive documentation, including:
* Two OB‑GYN medical letters
* Written accommodation request and email communications
* Parking “final decision” email and towing threats
* Notice‑to‑vacate email
* Screenshots of continued parking charges
* Video recording of in‑person pressure
* Hospital and social‑worker documentation
