United States Attorney’s Office Hosts Roundtable On Racial and National Origin Discrimination in Housing
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division hosted a roundtable September 23rd, 2019 for community organizations to discuss the problem of racial and national origin discrimination in housing, U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced.
The event included local legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, civil rights organizations, faith-based organizations, and other community groups. Those organizations were invited because they often work with populations likely to become victims of housing discrimination. United States Attorney Krueger stated: “Federal law provides individuals with the right to obtain access to housing and lending free from discrimination. Our office is dedicated to uncovering violations of those rights and vigorously enforcing the law.”
The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. The Department of Justice may bring lawsuits where there is reason to believe that a person or entity is engaged in a “pattern or practice” of discrimination or where a denial of rights to a group of persons raises an issue of general public importance. The Department of Justice also brings cases where a housing discrimination complaint has been investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD has issued a charge of discrimination, and one of the parties to the case has “elected” to go to federal court. In FHA cases, the Department can obtain injunctive relief, including affirmative requirements for training and policy changes, monetary damages and, in pattern or practice cases, civil penalties.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division held the roundtable to raise awareness in the Eastern District of Wisconsin about options to help victims experiencing discrimination in housing. Attendees were encouraged to be alert and encourage that victims to report housing discrimination to the Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney’s Office.
The Justice Department encourages anyone who has experienced racial or national origin discrimination in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Division by calling 1-800-896-7743 or https://www.justice.gov/crt/housing-and-civil-enforcement-section-overview.
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 414-297-1700 or visiting https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/contact.