Case: Voluntary compliance agreement between U.S., Latino Action Network, NAACP, Fair Share Housing Center, and New Jersey

NA | No Court

Filed Date: April 3, 2013

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 3, 2013, a New Jersey advocacy organization aimed at advancing the interests of Latino communities filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, against the State of New Jersey. The complaint alleged that the State engaged in discriminatory housing practices in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 1964 and the Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq., and fa…

On April 3, 2013, a New Jersey advocacy organization aimed at advancing the interests of Latino communities filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, against the State of New Jersey. The complaint alleged that the State engaged in discriminatory housing practices in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 1964 and the Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq., and failed to affirmatively further fair housing. On April 23, 2013, the complaint was amended to add the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as a complainant and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs as a respondent. The alleged violations occurred in relation to affordable housing opportunities for lower income households whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

On May 30, 2014, the parties entered into a settlement agreement. The State agreed to allocate additional funds in the amount of $215,000,000.00 to the nine counties most affected by Hurricane Sandy. The State agreed to prioritize families with children. It also agreed to provide $15,000,000.00 in tenant-based rental assistance prioritizing households at or below 30% of area median income. The State also agreed to review and reconsider its decisions on households previously deemed ineligible for the Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program. RREM provides up to $150,000 to homeowners to restore their damaged homes, including rehabilitation, reconstruction, elevation, and/or mitigation activities. The State also agreed to special provisions concerning people with limited English proficiency, providing annual $2,000,000 funding until HUD closes its funds. It includes implementing an outreach and counseling service. As part of providing the service, the State agreed to provide training and develop a language bank.

The State agreed to find a firm to ensure its compliance within sixty days of the effective date of the agreement. The State also agreed to provide quarterly reports to HUD and the complainants on the progress of the implementation of the agreement. The term of the agreement is six months until after the closeout of HUD funds to New Jersey.

Summary Authors

Zhandos Kuderin (11/19/2014)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Allen, Michael Gerhart (District of Columbia)

Gordon, Adam M (New Jersey)

Walsh, Kevin D (New Jersey)

Attorney for Defendant

Ibrahim, Sanjay P (New Jersey)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

0:13-00048

0:13-00303

Voluntary Compliance Agreement and Conciliation Agreement

May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

Settlement Agreement

HUD and New Jersey Announce Agreement to Expand Hurricane Sandy Recovery Programs

May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

Press Release

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:47 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New Jersey

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 3, 2013

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Latino Action Network; NJ State Conference of the NAACP; Fair Share Housing Center, Inc.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Non-settlement Outcome

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Order Duration: 2014 - None

Content of Injunction:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Provide antidiscrimination training

Reporting

Required disclosure

Issues

General:

Emergency shelter

Housing

Housing assistance

Poverty/homelessness

Public assistance grants

Discrimination-area:

Housing Sales/Rental

Discrimination-basis:

National origin discrimination

National Origin/Ethnicity:

Hispanic