S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and two apartment complexes in Pennsylvania. The settlement resolves alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act due to the unequal distribution of amenities and services between tenants in the two complexes. The case demonstrates the importance of fair housing practices as protected by the law, and highlights the potential consequences of any failure to comply.
The settlements were reached between HUD and the owners of the apartment complexes in Philadelphia. The complaint alleged that the two complexes provided different levels of amenities and services depending on the race and ethnicity of the tenants. Specifically, the allegations were that the owners of one complex provided significantly better services and amenities to white tenants while denying or delaying the same services and amenities to non-white tenants. The complaint also claimed that the owners of the second complex enforced rules and regulations differently depending on the tenants’ race and ethnicity, such as allowing white tenants to have pets while denying this privilege to non-white tenants.
Under the terms of the settlements, both complexes agreed to pay a total of over $175,000 in damages. They also agreed to implement an extensive remedial action plan which includes the appointment of a fair housing coordinator, staff training in fair housing, the adoption of written policies and practices prohibiting discrimination, and an annual report to HUD documenting their compliance with the settlement.
The case illustrates the consequences of violating the Fair Housing Act and serves as a reminder of the importance of fair housing practices. The Fair Housing Act, passed in 1968, was designed to prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin. This settlement sends a strong message that the enforcement of the law is taken seriously and that all landlords must adhere to the principles of equal opportunity and fair housing.
In conclusion, this article discusses a recent settlement between HUD and two apartment complexes in Pennsylvania. The settlement was due to violations of the Fair Housing Act involving unequal distribution of amenities and services. The apartments have agreed to pay over $175,000 in damages and institute an extensive program of remedial action to ensure their compliance with the law. Ultimately, this case is a reminder of the importance of fair housing practices and serves as a warning for those who may attempt to violate these laws.
This article was contributed on Aug 01, 2023
