This article reviews cases which have been decided under the Federal Fair Housing Act, especially those concerning the siting of group homes for people with disabilities. The cases reviewed illustrate how courts have applied the legal concepts of reasonable accommodation and disparate impact to grant injunctive relief against municipalities and, ultimately, to decide the cases before it. The article demonstrates how courts have had to balance local zoning requirements with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act. According to the authors, while the Fair Housing Act has proven itself to be a strong protection with regard to housing for disabled people, it has had little impact on zoning requirements which have restricted the development of affordable housing.
Journal