Senior Housing Services, Inc. Seeks Dismissal from Fair Housing Lawsuit

Current owner of a San Antonio independent senior living community will ask a Federal judge to dismiss the company as a defendant in a lawsuit brought by former residents of the community who say they were unfairly evicted by the previous owners because of the residents disabilities.

SAN ANTONIO, TX (PRWEB) February 25, 2004 --The current owner of a San Antonio independent senior living community will ask a Federal judge to dismiss the company as a defendant in a lawsuit brought by former residents of the community who say they were unfairly evicted by the previous owners because of the residents disabilities.
   
The suit was filed recently in Federal District Court on behalf of Inez Casaregola, a former resident, and Clyde McCollough, surviving son of former resident Val McCollough, and Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio.

Named as defendants are Cooperative Retirement Services of America, Inc. d/b/a CRSA Holdings, Inc., Pacific Life Insurance Co., and Senior Housing Services, Inc. (SHS), a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation, which purchased the facility, then known as the Summit at Newforest, a year after the alleged evictions occurred.
   
SHS owns the community, now called Newforest Estates, and has a management agreement with Certus, LLC, a senior-living management firm. Certus LLC operates seven senior-living communities in Florida and Texas for SHS.

In the fair housing lawsuit, the plaintiffs contend that the previous management evicted residents who did not fit in with the companys new marketing strategy aimed at active seniors" and independent living." The suit contends the previous owners discriminated on the basis of disability in the rental of housing. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief and unspecified monetary damages.

The new owner, SHS, was not involved in any of the alleged evictions cited in the lawsuit and apparently was named simply as the successor property owner, according to Alan Gooding, of Dallas, attorney for SHS.

Unlike most companies in the senior living industry, SHS maintains a policy of welcoming outside services, such as wellness services and home care, which enable seniors to remain independent, safe and comfortable, said Texas regional director Bill Layer.

If and when a residents condition deteriorates to the point where the individual is a danger to himself or others, SHS, if needed, will assist in arranging alternative placement or housing with assistance of family, physician, and/or city regulatory department of social services, Layer said.

We can act as a 'change agent on behalf of the resident, the family and the community," Layer said, and well work to connect the resident and family with the services they need to ensure a high quality of life. Our corporate philosophy is to be the residents advocate."
   
SHS is fast emerging as one of the most innovative and respected companies in the senior housing/senior living industry. It already has committed to spending $2 million for the renovation and improvement of the Newforest community.

It also has purchased an abandoned building on the adjacent property in the northeast section of San Antonio, which SHS will convert from a former skilled nursing facility into a Type B Assisted-Living Community. The cost for that project is also about $2 million and will enable SHS to extend its continuity of service," Layer said.
   
MEDIA CONTACT:   Greg Graze, Graze Public Relations, 214-665-9440 or greg@grazepr.com

COMPANY CONTACT:Bill Layer, regional director, 972-434-1727, blayer@lewisvilleestates.com
###