Illinois Mobile Home Park Settles Race Discrimination Claims

The owners and operators of a mobile home park in Marion, Ill., recently agreed to pay $75,000 to settle allegations that they violated fair housing law by discriminating against African Americans and families with children. 

The lawsuit was based on the results of testing conducted by the Justice Department’s fair housing testing program. The complaint alleged that the manager, who co-owned the property with two others, falsely told African Americans inquiring about renting mobile homes that no homes were available, while telling white home-seekers that such mobile homes were available. Allegedly, the testing also showed that he unlawfully discouraged families with children from living there.

Under the settlement, the owners agreed to pay $45,000 into a settlement fund to compensate alleged victims and $30,000 in civil penalties. They also agreed to implement a nondiscrimination policy, establish new nondiscriminatory application and rental procedures, and undergo fair housing training.

“The right of people to live in the housing of their choice regardless of their race or whether they have children is fundamental,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement. “The Justice Department will continue its vigorous enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, which seeks to protect that right.”

Source: U.S. Department of Justice