Dispute over one Florida housing complex may impact disabled housing availability across the state.

In Lakeland, Florida, a complex legal and social issue is unfolding at The Villages at Noah’s Landing, a residential facility designed to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Olivia Murphy, a 27-year-old resident who was adopted from Russia, embodies the hopes of many families who envisioned the complex as a permanent home for their loved ones. Diagnosed with learning and memory difficulties due to prenatal alcohol exposure, Murphy thrived in her independent apartment since moving there in 2019, engaging in community activities such as bingo, yoga, and various outings facilitated by the complex’s transportation services.

However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered this environment. Activities were suspended, yet residents continued to incur a 5 monthly fee. In reestablishing programming, the management announced that such activities were reserved for tenants classified as “VIP,” specifically those who continued to pay the fee. This decision sparked discontent within the community, leading to reports of threatening eviction notices to residents displaying behaviors associated with their disabilities.

The growing discord has prompted a federal lawsuit, filed in January 2023, challenging the operations of Noah’s Landing under the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability. The civil rights implications could reverberate beyond this single facility, affecting multiple properties across Florida that utilize significant state funding for similar supportive housing models. The lawsuit argues that maintaining a facility exclusively for individuals with disabilities mirrors racial or sexual discrimination, as it effectively segregates a protected class.

The legal action has drawn attention to the structure of Noah’s Landing and similar complexes. Approximately 80% of residents must have disabilities to comply with financial backing from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, raising concerns about compliance with federal regulations that require integration with non-disabled communities. Advocates argue that these residents have the right to live in environments that promote inclusion, echoing a broader societal desire to diminish institutionalization of individuals with disabilities.

As tensions escalate, residents and their families fear potential consequences of the lawsuit. For many, Noah’s Landing represents not only affordable housing but also a supportive community vital for their loved ones’ quality of life. The nonprofit managing the property has attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that no tenant has been denied housing based on disability.

As the situation develops, it underscores the complex interplay between housing, disability rights, and community integration in Florida. Stakeholders assert that the ultimate goal is not to threaten existing homes but to ensure they uphold promises of support and inclusivity essential for individuals with disabilities. The outcome may reshape the landscape of supportive housing across the state, reflecting ongoing societal challenges related to disability rights and equitable living conditions.