Williams v. Town of Southwest Ranches

No. 04-61623-CIV-MARRA/SELTZER (S.D. Fla. June 2, 2005) ; Clearinghouse Number: 55923

Description

Black Residents’ Housing Discrimination Claim Against Florida Town Is Dismissed as Moot after Town Drops Relocation Plan

Abstract

The court held that it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to resolve black residents’ claim alleging fair housing violations after Southwest Ranches, a Florida municipal corporation, withdrew its contract to relocate its affordable housing project to Pembroke Park, another Florida town. Plaintiff low- to moderate-income black residents of Broward County alleged that defendants — – two municipal corporations and Florida Department of Community Affairs —- violated the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601, and the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Plaintiffs alleged that defendants’ contractual agreements permitted Southwest Ranches to reallocate its state-mandated affordable housing obligation to Pembroke Park with Florida department’s approval. Plaintiffs alleged that defendants’ agreements would have a significantly adverse and disproportionate impact on the housing choices of low- and moderate-income black residents and would perpetuate the segregation and concentration of blacks in specific locations within Broward County. Because the housing proposal had been abandoned, the court concluded that the case was moot.

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Attorney Information
Docket Date
2005-06-02 00:00:00+00:00