Tenn. Community Settles Claims of Discrimination Against Hispanic Tenants

The owners and managers of a Nashville, Tenn., community recently agreed to pay more than $170,000 as part of a settlement resolving allegations that it discriminated against Hispanic tenants based on their national origin. According to HUD’s complaint, the community’s owners and management company allegedly terminated lease agreements, ignored maintenance requests, and intimidated and harassed Hispanic tenants.

Under the terms of the agreement, the manager and owner agreed to establish a $150,000 victims’ compensation fund for former residents administered by an independent agency and to pay $10,000 each to two nonprofit organizations to identify potential claimants. They also agreed to adopt fair housing policies and provide employees with fair housing training.

“Since 1968, the Fair Housing Act has prohibited national origin discrimination, including evicting tenants or denying them service because of their ancestry,” John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a statement. “Central to HUD’s mission is to ensure that every person has the right to housing free from discrimination. Today’s settlement advances that goal.”

Source: HUD

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