
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Wanda Johnson says she was forced to leave her rental home on Dellwood Avenue with short notice.
Johnson says her landlord called and told her she had to move out by the end of April. The reason left Johnson lost for words.
"She said I was too fat and would damage the foundation," says Johnson.
Johnson said she was stunned. She has lived in the house since November and her weight was never an issue.
"I moved in and they knew how much I weighed. I pay my rent on time, why is my weigh an issue?" says Johnson.
Johnson moved out and contacted Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
Attorney David Cronin is handling her complaint.
"People that are disabled have rights and business owners should not feel they can say whatever they want," says Cronin.
He adds, "You can't discriminate against someone because of their disability."
Investigators with the Fair Housing Advocacy Center say the problem of housing discrimination is rampant.
"The issues are widespread," says Rebecca Feyerick.
"We have an ongoing investigation right now," says Natasha Brereton.
It's an investigation that is different from the case involving Wanda Johnson.
"We are going to file an administrative complaint in this case,"says David Cronin.
Johnson moved out of the Dellwood Avenue house and is happy where she now lives.
She says her landlord has yet to refund her security deposit and she needs it. But that will not soothe the emotional injury from the landlord's reason for moving.
"It was heartless," says Johnson. The landlord was unavailable for comment.
It is against the Fair Housing Act to discriminate against someone because of their Race, Sex, Color, Religion, National Origin or Familial Status.
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Created: 5/18/2009 6:47:11 PM 



