Racial Discrimination Is Alive and Well
INDUSTRY NEWS, REAL ESTATE PRACTICE
November 6th, 2009
Beverly Hills Properties was just hit with a $2.725 million dollar fine from the U.S. Department of Justice for housing discrimination. According to an article from the California Association of Realtors, a lawsuit brought in August of 2006 claimed Donald T. Sterling and others engaged in discrimantory practices including refusing to rent to African-Americans, Hispanics, and families with children.
In Koreatown buildings, apartment owners refused to rent to non-Koreans. The real estate firm manages about 119 apartment buildings with over 5,000 units in the Los Angeles area. They allegedly misrepresented the availability of units and kept internal reports of tenants’ racial profiles.
The settlement is the largest ever obtained for rental housing discrimination. In addition to the fine, the defendants must take action to ensure non-discrimantory actions in the future including fair housing training for employees and monitoring their compliance with fair housing laws for the next three years.
The bulk of the settlement monies will be placed in a fund to pay tenants harmed by the defendants’ discriminatory practices. A great outcome considering how difficult it is to uncover these acts and prosecute violaters.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER IN REDING
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
