Opinion ID: 580745
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Compensatory and Inconvenience Elements

Text: 41 The ALJ awarded $2,000 in compensation for his economic losses, including inconvenience. At the same time, there was an acknowledgement of no attempt to present evidence of direct financial harm to the Complainant. Counsel for respondent and charging party at the hearing contended that Holley's primary damages are loss of civil rights and emotional distress. The evidence is that plaintiff remained in his apartment, Cypress Apartments, for almost a year after the episode with Baumgardner despite making about twenty calls looking into other locations in the Walnut Hills and surrounding neighborhoods. Holley's claim of inconvenience was based on his friends moving in with him after Holley was rejected at 2543 Victory Parkway. Holley conceded that he chose to include his friend at his apartment without compulsion. The inconvenience lasted a couple of months at most. Rental sought by Baumgardner was approximately $650.00 per month plus utility costs, considerably more than the $450.00 per month rental Holley was then paying for his apartment shared with a friend. Neither Holley nor his friends, after the initial unsuccessful contact, made any further attempt to contact Baumgardner to investigate further renting of the property in question. Holley conceded the episode was kind of easy to get over but for seeing the rental sign remain for a few weeks. 42 We find no basis for the ALJ's finding that there was economic loss to Holley because the rent for the house would not have been less than his apartment rent, or his share thereof, as found by the ALJ. It is immaterial what a third friend was paying for his separate apartment in our view. Holley is not entitled to recover for his friend's loss, if any, and none was demonstrated. He continued to live in the very near vicinity of 2543 Victory Parkway; he was, therefore, not denied neighborhood advantages nor location conveniences. It cost him no more to travel to work or to shop or wherever else he chose to go for necessities or enjoyment. Contrary to the ALJ's finding, it is not clear that Complaint's financial status [was] affected. (Emphasis added). 43 There was also, as noted by the ALJ, no attempt to break out what amount [was claimed] as compensation ... due to direct costs and inconvenience as opposed to emotional distress and loss of civil rights. Despite what we perceive to be a lack of proof to show any actual economic loss, the ALJ awarded $2,000 to Holley for his economic losses, including inconvenience. We will reduce this award in accordance with the above rationale to $1,000, giving HUD and Holley the benefit of some considerable doubt in this regard. 7 This would also cover any nominal financial loss, although not adequately proved.