The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged a Paramus, N.J., property owner with housing discrimination for allegedly refusing to rent an apartment to an African-American woman and her young son.
The owner used racial slurs, including “White power white power” and “KKK’ in text messages he sent to the woman informing her that she did not get the apartment, according to the charge.
The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to deny housing to someone because of his or her race or color.
“Fifty years after our nation passed a law prohibiting discrimination in housing, some individuals are still being denied a place to live because of the color of their skin,” Anna Maria Farias, HUD’s assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a news release. “Today’s action reflects HUD’s commitment to protecting the rights of home seekers, no matter their race, and taking action against housing providers that break the law.”
The case came to HUD’s attention when a woman filed a complaint alleging that and she and her young son were denied the opportunity to rent a two-bedroom apartment that was advertised on Craigslist because they are African-American.
HUD’s charge, on behalf of the woman, alleges that in text messages, the owner informed the woman that she did not “make the cut” and used racial slurs.
In addition, the property owner refused to negotiate with the woman, falsely represented availability and intimidated or threatened her because of her race, according to HUD.
“No one looking for housing should be rejected because of race, much less be subjected to the indignity of racial slurs,” said J. Paul Compton, HUD’s general counsel. “This charge sends a clear message that HUD will protect the housing rights of all persons to the fullest extent of the law.”
The incident allegedly occurred Feb. 2, 2017. The woman and her son were anxious to move out of the rental they had been living in at the time because it had been without heat for weeks.
The complainant said she has suffered actual damages because of the owner’s actions, including out-of-pocket expenses and emotional distress.
The case will be heard by an administrative law judge unless any party to the charge elects to have the issue heard in federal district court.
If an administrative law judge finds after a hearing that discrimination has occurred, damages may be awarded to the complainant for harm caused by discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief, as well as payment of attorney fees.
In addition, the judge may impose fines to vindicate the public interest. If the matter is decided in federal court, the judge may also award punitive damages.