United States v. St. Bernard Parish (E.D. La.)

On June 20, 2019, the United States entered into a settlement agreement to resolve United States v. St. Bernard Parish (E.D. La.), a lawsuit alleging that the Parish discriminated on the basis of disability in violation of the Fair Housing Act.  The settlement agreement includes $975,000 in damages and fees to the aggrieved persons and their attorneys, a $60,000 civil penalty, and standard relief, including Fair Housing Act training and designation of a compliance officer.  As part of the settlement, the Parish amended its zoning ordinance to allow small group homes in all residential districts and adopted an amended reasonable accommodation policy.  The complaint, filed on December 6, 2018, alleged that St. Bernard Parish discriminated when it failed to grant reasonable accommodations to allow two group homes, each for five children with disabilities, to operate in single-family residential zoning districts.

Press Release (6/20/19)
Press Release (12/6/18)