The cities of Raleigh and Cary, along with Wake County and the Raleigh and Wake Housing Authorities, are currently conducting a Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) study. The AI is intended to gather and analyze data to determine what impediments exist in the community to fair housing. In addition, the study …
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Fair Housing Project Settles Discrimination Suit Against Raleigh Homeowners Association
On March 23, 2015, the Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of North Carolina announced that a Raleigh homeowners association and their property manager have agreed to pay $20,000 to settle a housing discrimination lawsuit that accused them of discriminating based on disability. The lawsuit was filed by North Carolina Human Relations Commission (NCHRC) in Wake …
HUD Issues Guidance on Placement for Transgender Persons in Emergency Shelters
On February 20, 2015, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued guidance on the appropriate placement for transgender persons in single-sex emergency shelters and other facilities. The notice, issued by HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) was addressed to the attention of recipients and sub-recipients of Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG); …
FH Project Hiring Testing Coordinator
The Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of North Carolina is conducting a search for a Testing Coordinator in its offices in Raleigh. The anticipated start date for the position is mid-May 2015. Applications will be reviewed starting on March 16, 2015. For a full job description, see the job announcement on the LANC website.
Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument on Fair Housing Act Case
On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case of Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project. The case raises the issue of whether the federal Fair Housing Act prohibits actions that have a discriminatory effect (also called a “disparate impact”) on a protected class or only …
Greensboro Adds LGBT Housing Protections
On January 6, 2015, the City of Greensboro became the first city in North Carolina to prohibit discrimination in housing based on an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The ordinance, which was passed unanimously by the City Council, applies to the rentals or sale of residential housing as well as to related housing transactions. The …
US Dep’t of Justice Sues Scotland County Housing Group, Alleging Sexual Harassment
On December 10, 2014, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in federal court against Southeastern Community and Family Services, Inc. (formerly Four-County Community Services, Inc.), and two of its employees alleging repeated acts of sexual harassment. Southeastern Community and Family Services is a public housing agency that administers the Section 8 voucher program …
HUD Awards Legal Aid $325,000 for Fair Housing Enforcement Work in NC
On October 15, 2014, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Legal Aid of North Carolina had been awarded a $325,000 Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) grant to support its work in the coming year. The award will support Legal Aid ‘s Fair Housing Project, which was launched in 2011. The Fair Housing Project fights housing …
Settlement of Royal Oak Concerned Citizens Assn, et al. v. Brunswick County Lawsuit
The Royal Oak Concerned Citizens Association case against Brunswick County was resolved on June 16, 2014 with the County’s approval of the settlement agreement. See the Star News article from June 18, 2014 for more information about the settlement. The UNC Center for Civil Rights initiated the lawsuit in Brunswick County Superior Court in June …
HUD Charges University with Housing Discrimination for Denying Student Support Animal in Student Housing
On August 19, 2014, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it had charged Kent State University, in Ohio, with violating the federal Fair Housing Act by preventing a student with a disability from having an emotional support animal in her campus apartment. The complaint was brought by the student, her husband, and …