U.S. Department
of Justice
Notices To Potential Victims Of Housing Discrimination
On May 4, 2015, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a Consent Order resolving a lawsuit brought by the United States against J & R Associates, the owner of Royal Park Apartments in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The lawsuit alleged that J & R Associates violated the Fair Housing Act by implementing a policy of excluding families with children from particular buildings, floors, and/or units at Royal Park Apartments. J &&R Associates denies the allegations and claims asserted by the United States, and contends that it actively markets to families with children and that 88 families with children were residing at the Royal Park Apartments as of the effective date of the Consent Order. The entry of the Consent Order is a compromise of disputed allegations and clams and is not an admission by the Defendant of any liability, wrongdoing, or noncompliance with the provisions of the Fair Housing Act. The parties agreed to the entry of this Consent Order to avoid protracted and costly litigation.
The Consent Order requires, among other things, that the Defendant, J & R Associates, make available all units, floors, and buildings at Royal Park Apartments to families with children.
The Consent Order also establishes a Settlement Fund to make payments to compensate persons who are victims of this type of alleged discrimination. You may be entitled to a monetary award from the Settlement Fund if you (1) sought to live or did become a tenant at Royal Park Apartments, (2) have a child under the age of 18 living with you (either because you are the parent or legal guardian), and (3) were denied the opportunity to live at Royal Park Apartments or were offered the ability to live only in certain "family buildings" or on the first floor of other buildings.
If you believe you may be a victim based on the above criteria, or if you have information about someone else whom you believe may qualify, please contact the United States Department of Justice, no later than September 1, 2015, at: 1-800-896-7743 and select menu option 996. You may also write to:
Civil Rights Division
Housing and Civil Enforcement Section
1800 G Street, N.W., Suite 7002
Washington, DC 20006
Attn: DJ# 175-62-395