No one should be penalized for fleeing domestic violence, but that is exactly what happened to disabled U.S. Marine Veteran Mr. Hoffmann. He was finally ready to get help and escape his abuser, who lived in the same apartment complex, telling his landlord he would be leaving and getting permission from the property management. It should have ended there. He had done all the “right” things, including securing a protective order against his assailant and getting permission from the property management team. Instead, when Mr. Hoffmann returned to the apartment complex months later looking to rent a new place to call home, he was shocked to discover that the management company had pursued an eviction against him—and won. Mr. Hoffmann now had an eviction on his record and over $10,000 worth of debt owed.

This was a clear injustice and direct affront to Mr. Hoffmann’s civil rights, enshrined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Connecticut state law.

Mr. Hoffmann found us through his VA clinician. With HUD’s support, staff attorney Tucker McWeeny brought the issue straight to the CHRO (Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities), where he studiously outlined the clear facts of the case on his client, Mr. Hoffmann’s, behalf. By the end of the hearing, not only were we able to successfully remove the debt that had been levied against this veteran we were also successful in securing thousands of dollars in damages against the property management company. Mr. Hoffmann now has the funds he needs to move from a shelter and into stable, permanent housing. It also afforded him the dignity of having his claim heard and believed—something we all have the right to.