Virginian landlords faces race claims

A Virginia Beach landlord could face having to pay thousands of dollars in fines after being charged with violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against African-American tenants.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development claimed Dr James Crockett Henry, owner of a 30 unit complex, had subjecting African-American tenants to stricter rules than others, and had used racial slurs about them.

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate in housing because of race or color.

The carge came after a complaint had been filed with HUD by Annette and Tasha Reddick and several other African-American families. They alleged that Dr Henry discouraged black residents from having visitors, and reported their visitors to police as trespassers.

The complaint further alleges that he enforced a ‘quiet time’ policy for black residents and used racial slurs, including the ‘N’ word, to describe the children of African-American residents. Henry also allegedly told one black tenant that the complex, comprised mostly of black families, was like his ‘ghetto tribe plantation’, and that if she would ‘act like a human being’ he ‘wouldn't have to train her’.

When told that some black residents had filed housing discrimination complaints, Henry was said to have taken steps to terminate their leases, falsely claiming they had breached their tenancy agreements.

‘Tenants should not have to put up with such offensive racial statements in the place they call home’, said HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Kim Kendrick. ‘We will enforce the law against all landlords who discriminate, and make sure our federal dollars don't go toward this kind of injustice. It is against the law and HUD won't stand for it’.

The case will go before a local US Administrative Law Judge in July unless one of the parties elects to have the case heard in US District Court.

Housing discrimination charges heard before an administrative law judge carry a maximum civil penalty of $16,000 for each violation for a first offence, in addition to actual damages for each complainant, injunctive or other equitable relief, and attorneys' fees. Sanctions can be more severe if a respondent has a history of housing discrimination.