WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 6 that J&R Associates will settle allegations of discrimination against tenants of South Asian descent at the company’s Royal Park Apartments complex in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.
“Housing discrimination on the basis of race and national origin is not acceptable and will not be tolerated,” said acting assistant attorney general Tom Wheeler, of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We appreciate J & R Associates’ cooperation with our investigation and agreement to remedy past discriminatory practices.”
According to allegations, J&R Associates steered persons of South Asian descent toward certain buildings in the eight-building complex from at least 2009 to 2015. Purported conduct of this nature violates the Fair Housing Act, which bans housing discrimination on the basis of race and national origin. To settle the allegations, J&R Associates will change its business practices and establish a settlement fund of $70,000 to compensate victims of the discriminatory practice.
“Ensuring fair housing decreases inequality and increases educational and economic opportunities,” said William D. Weinreb, acting United States attorney for the District of Massachusetts. “This office will continue to enforce civil rights and fight discrimination in Massachusetts.”