United States v. Sunburst Mobile Home Village

No. 01-1202MV/RLP (D. N.M. Nov. 26, 2002) ; Clearinghouse Number: 55107

Description

Mobile Home Park Owner Agrees Not to Discriminate Based on National Origin

Abstract

Settling a lawsuit alleging that they discriminated on the basis of national origin in violation of the Fair Housing Act, defendants—mobile home park owner and manager—agreed to ensure compliance with all state and federal fair housing laws and to make available all of their mobile home spaces for rental to all persons on an equal basis and under the same terms and conditions. After two people of Cuban national origin residing in defendants’ mobile home park filed discrimination complaints against defendants with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the department found reasonable cause to believe that a discriminatory housing practice had occurred and issued charges of discrimination against defendants. Suing defendants on residents’ behalf, United States alleged that defendants demonstrated a pattern or practice of discriminating against individuals of Cuban national origin and of threatening and intimidating Cuban park residents based on their Cuban national origin. According to the consent order, defendants are enjoined from refusing to rent dwellings because of a person’s national origin; imposing different terms and conditions in the rental of units based on national origin; and intimidating or interfering with persons in the exercise or enjoyment of rights granted under Sections 803–806 of the Fair Housing Act. Defendants must adopt nondiscriminatory written standards and procedures for handling rental inquiries; notify their employees, tenants, and the public of their nondiscriminatory policies; pay $19,000 to one of the complainants and $1,000 in civil penalties; and pay the Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque to test for national-origin discrimination at their park.

Additional Information

Attorney Information
Complaint to U.S. Dep't of Hous. and Urban Dev. filed by Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque, 121 Tijeras NE, Suite 3100, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505.243.7871)
Docket Date
2002-12-26 00:00:00+00:00