United States v. Rockland County & Village of Spring Valley (S.D.N.Y.)

On March 4, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office entered into a settlement agreement with the Village of Spring Valley in in United States v. Rockland County & Village of Spring Valley (S.D.N.Y.).  The agreement requires the Village to ensure the development or rehabilitation of at least 22 affordable housing units by 2030. The units, which will remain affordable for at least 50 years, must be marketed without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, familial status, or disability. The Village will pay a civil penalty of $15,000 and provide regular reports to the United States regarding the completion of the units.  The complaint, which was filed on January 17, 2025, alleges that the defendants—Rockland County and the Village of Spring Valley—breached a March 23, 2018, Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The VCA resolved administrative complaints filed with HUD that alleged a private developer—a subrecipient of HUD grant funding—designed and marketed affordable housing units specifically for use by White Hasidic Jewish homebuyers and excluded prospective Black homebuyers.  The VCA and a 2021 amendment required the defendants to develop additional affordable housing units and ensure they are marketed to the entire community.  The complaint alleged that the defendants had breached the agreement because they had not completed the required units.  The case was referred to the Division for enforcement by HUD after notifying the defendants of the breach and giving them an opportunity to respond.  Litigation will continue against Rockland County.