A local architect and developer was charged Monday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development with housing discrimination for designing and building a Chicago apartment building that it alleges does not comply with accessibility requirements.
HUD said Hector Castillo and Hector Castillo Architects Inc. violated the federal Fair Housing Act in the construction of a building at 914 W. Hubbard St.
The agency said bathrooms and kitchens in the apartment units were not accessible and doorways weren’t wide enough for people who use wheelchairs.
HUD’s complaint was based on information provided to the department by Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago.
Castillo was not immediately available for comment. The Joliet-based firm was dissolved in 2006, according to state records.
This whole thing smells very bad. ADA is Arc 201. Your door sizes and turn radii are very basic. How was this person qualified to do the work? They obviously violated the professional code of conduct and should be sanctioned and perhaps have their license suspended. What about monetary damages?
This person sounds connected.