United States v. Mere (M.D. Fla.)

On March 15, 2016, the court entered a consent order in United States v. Mere (M.D. Fla.), a Fair Housing Act pattern or practice case developed by the Division’s Fair Housing Testing Program.  The complaint, filed on February 29, 2016, alleges that Thomas Mere, the owner and operator of a mobile home and recreational vehicle park, discriminated on the basis of race or color.  Specifically, the complaint alleges that the defendant encouraged prospective white renters to consider residing at Mere’s Park and discouraged African Americans from residing there by, for example, referring African Americans to another mobile home and RV park, making discouraging comments about units that were available for rent, and failing to provide African Americans complete and accurate information about available units and lots.  Under the terms of the consent order, the defendant will establish a settlement fund of $30,000 to compensate victims of his discriminatory practices and pay a civil penalty of $10,000 to the United States.  The agreement also requires that the defendant implement nondiscriminatory application and rental procedures at the park, undergo fair-housing training and provide periodic reports to the department.