Opinion ID: 45322
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: DHC is a non-profit company that provides case management services for deaf and hard-of-hearing adults. DHC owns and operates the Bayou Courtyard Apartments, an independent living complex with predominately disabled residents. Ackerman has been a client of DHC’s case management program since 1998, and has lived in the Bayou Courtyard Apartments since 2002. In the summer of 2004, Ackerman, who was deaf, went blind. In October 2005, Ackerman’s roommate moved to a different apartment to live alone. For the next two months, Ackerman failed to pay the full rent that was due for his apartment. In December 2005, Ackerman and DHC reached an agreement which resolved Ackerman’s past-due rent, allowed him to remain in tenancy for the remainder of his existing lease (due to expire in May 2006), and enrolled him in a low-income rent program. In February or March 2006, Jocelyn Epple, another tenant at the Bayou Courtyard Apartments, moved out of her own 2 apartment and into Ackerman’s. Ackerman tried to give DHC additional rent for Epple, but DHC refused it. DHC informed Ackerman that, because he was participating in the low-income rent program, he could not have a roommate. In March 2006, DHC advised Ackerman that it would not be renewing his lease. On May 3, 2006, Ackerman filed a complaint against DHC alleging, inter alia, violations of the FHA and the Rehabilitation Act. Ackerman claimed that DHC did not reasonably accommodate his request for a roommate, whom he needed to assist him with daily living tasks and as a companion to help his depression. He also claimed that DHC discriminated against him by not renewing his lease. Ackerman also filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against DHC requesting, inter alia, that DHC maintain renewal of his lease and allow him the roommate of his choice. After an evidentiary hearing, the district court denied Ackerman’s motion for a preliminary injunction. Ackerman now appeals that decision.1