DOJ Resolves A Race Discrimination Case For $35,000

While the number of disability discrimination cases involving housing continues to grow across the country (and on my desk), we still continue to see cases and settlements in matters alleging race discrimination.  For example, just last week the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that an housing provider in Alabama and Georgia agreed to pay $35,000 to settle a lawsuit involving claims under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). The complaint alleged that the defendants denied housing to an African American woman and her family because of race and that a regional manager told line employees about a company policy of not leasing to African Americans.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement resolving the case, which was approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, the defendants will pay $25,000 to the family who lost a housing opportunity as well as an additional $10,000 as a civil penalty to the United States.   As a part of the