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The Lenkin Co., a family real estate firm that has been building in DC for nearly a century, is now the target of a housing discrimination lawsuit.
The Equal Rights Center, along with law firm Wilmer Hale and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, alleges the company refused to rent to people holding housing choice vouchers, the Washington Business Journal reports.
Four Northwest DC apartment buildings are named in the lawsuit: The Lencshire House at 3140 Wisconsin Ave. NW, The Yorkshire at 3355 16th St. NW, The Parkhill at 1610 Park Road NW and The Garfield House at 2844 Wisconsin Ave. NW. The complaint said ERC representatives called the buildings repeatedly in 2015 and 2016 but were told they do not accept vouchers.
The vouchers are part of a federal program administered by the District to make it easier for low-income people to find housing by providing subsidies. By refusing to accept the vouchers, the complaint says the landlord engaged in income discrimination and racial discrimination; African-Americans make up 92% of DC voucher holders.
Lenkin owns or manages seven residential properties and eight office properties in DC, one of which will be torn down later this year. Representatives from The Lenkin Co. declined Bisnow's request for comment.
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