Domestic-abuse victim says she was evicted for reporting crime

[n2doc]

An Illinois woman's case reflects a growing concern that the federal Violence Against Women Act appears to leave out abuse victims who rent in the private market.


Kathy Cleaves-Milan called police to report that her live-in boyfriend had threatened her. Days later, she was evicted. Apartment managers had ruled her in violation of her lease because of the recent crime in her apartment. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune / October 6)

By Sara Olkon
October 18, 2009


Reporting from Chicago - Kathy Cleaves-Milan called police to report that her live-in boyfriend had brandished a gun and vowed to end both of their lives. Within days, her apartment managers served her with eviction papers for violating the terms of the lease, citing the criminal activity she had reported.

"I was punished for protecting myself and my daughter," Cleaves-Milan, 36, said. Her attorneys filed a lawsuit this month arguing that her 2007 eviction was a form of sex discrimination.

A representative of Aimco, the company that owned and operated the apartment complex, said the eviction wasn't solely about the domestic violence but also involved Cleaves-Milan's ability to afford the rent if her boyfriend moved out -- an assertion she strongly rejected.

more:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-domestic-violence18-2009oct18,0,7425207.story

[Heidi]

1. They just assumed that without a partner, a woman can't afford the rent?

They had posted the eviction notice while she was at the bank getting a cashier's check to pay the rent, which was overdue by only two days.

Further, she had been accused of no crime. I wonder if they evict tenants who are threatened with violence by intruders? They should have evicted the boyfriend only.