FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1996                        (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
          JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES MONTGOMERY REAL ESTATE
           FIRM FOR REFUSING TO SHOW AFRICAN AMERICANS
             RENTAL PROPERTIES LOCATED IN WHITE AREAS
     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today sued a
Montgomery, Alabama real estate firm that allegedly refused to
refer African Americans to properties in predominantly white parts
of town.       
     The suit is the 31st stemming from a nationwide Justice
Department fair housing program to detect discrimination.  Under
the program trained pairs of African-Americans and whites posing as
prospective tenants inquire about the availability of rental units. 
By comparing the experiences of the testers, investigators discover
whether minorities were treated less favorably than whites.
     Today's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in
Montgomery, accused the Hamilton Realty Company, its owner, and an
agent of engaging in a pattern of discrimination against African
Americans who asked about rental properties listed with the
company.
     It alleged that Hamilton Realty rental agents did not tell
African Americans about properties located in predominantly white
areas of Montgomery, while whites were told.  It also claimed that
agents would steer African Americans toward properties located in
predominantly minority areas of Montgomery and whites toward
predominantly white areas.
     "All Americans should have the chance to live in the
neighborhood of their choice,"  said Assistant Attorney General for
Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick.  "Real estate agents who restrict
housing opportunities based on race are segregating our  nation."
     Patrick noted that "steering" occurs when a rental agent
discloses different properties to applicants with the intent to
concentrate people in separate areas according to race or national
origin.
     "There is a broad consensus in our society that equal rights
in housing for all people is a basic right of citizenship," said
Redding Pitt, U.S. Attorney in Montgomery.  "It is our intention in
filing this action to ensure that these fundamental rights are
sustained in this instance, and to demonstrate our determination to
vindicate the principle of justice for all," 
     Patrick noted that with today's cases, the testing program has
produced 31 suits in eight states, including Ohio, Michigan,
California, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.  
Currently, the Justice Department is conducting testing in about a
dozen cities.       
     Today's suit seeks a court order preventing Hamilton Realty
from engaging in further discriminatory practices and requiring the
defendants to pay monetary damages to any identified victims of
discrimination.  Under the Fair Housing Act, a court may also
require each defendant to pay a civil penalty of up to $50,000 for
the first violation and $100,000 for a subsequent violation.
     "Today's action should warn all housing providers that housing
discrimination is not immune to detection," added Patrick.
     Individuals who believe they may have been the victims of
housing discrimination at Hamilton Realty should call the Housing
Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department at
202-514-4713 or the U. S. Attorney's Office at 334-223-7280.
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