Case: United States v. Housing Authority of the City of Eastman, Georgia

3:10-cv-00075 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia

Filed Date: Sept. 7, 2010

Closed Date: 2015

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Case Summary

On September 07, 2010, the United States filed a lawsuit under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §3601, against the Eastman Housing Authority ("EHA") in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. (Judge Dudley H. Bowen, Dublin Division). The Defendant maintains and owns nine public housing developments in the City of Eastman and surrounding areas. The Plaintiff claimed that the Defendant engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race or color in conne…
On September 07, 2010, the United States filed a lawsuit under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §3601, against the Eastman Housing Authority ("EHA") in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. (Judge Dudley H. Bowen, Dublin Division). The Defendant maintains and owns nine public housing developments in the City of Eastman and surrounding areas. The Plaintiff claimed that the Defendant engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race or color in connection with the rental of dwellings in EHA housing developments. Specifically, the Plaintiff alleges the Defendants steered applicants and residents to housing complexes on the basis of race and color; 2) selected white applicants over eligible black applicants who had higher positions on the EHA waiting list so that white applicants could be placed in vacant housing units ; 3) selected black applicants over white applicants on the EHA waiting list so that white applicants would not be housed in vacant units in majority black complexes; and 4) provided inferior treatment to black tenants in the terms, conditions and/or privileges of rental of EHA properties. The Plaintiff sought declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief.The parties announced a settlement the same day the Complaint was filed, and on October 18, 2010, the Court (Judge Bowen) approved a five year consent decree. In addition to general prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of race or color, and the use of HUD-approved policies with respect to applications and admissions, record-keeping and permission to inspect, the decree required the Defendant to pay $320,000 into an escrow to compensate persons harmed the EHA's discriminatory rental practices.The settlement ended in 2015 without any further litigation. The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Stacey McClurkin (12/20/2011)

Clearinghouse (11/26/2018)

People

Judge(s)

Barfield, W. Leon (Georgia)

Bowen, Dudley Hollingsworth Jr. (Georgia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bond, Rebecca B. (District of Columbia)

Crowder, Kenneth D. (Georgia)

Attorney for Defendant

Johnson, C. Michael (Georgia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:10-cv-00075

Docket

Sept. 7, 2010

Sept. 7, 2010

Docket
1

3:10-cv-00075

Complaint

Sept. 7, 2010

Sept. 7, 2010

Complaint
3

3:10-cv-00075

Consent Decree

Oct. 18, 2010

Oct. 18, 2010

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

Last updated March 24, 2025, 8:08 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Housing Authority of the City of Eastman, Georgia, filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(cmr) (Entered: 09/07/2010)

Sept. 7, 2010

Sept. 7, 2010

2

NOTICE of Settlement Consent Decree by United States of America (Crowder, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/07/2010)

Sept. 7, 2010

Sept. 7, 2010

3

CONSENT DECREE Approved − the Court shall retain jurisdiction over this matter fro purposes of enforcing and adjudicating any disputes arising under this Consent Decree. During the five year duration of this Consent Decree, this case will be Closed for all purposes of statistical reporting. Should it become necessary in the interim, either party may apply to the Court in writing to reopen this case. Each party to bear its own costs and attorneys' fees associated with this litigation. Signed by Judge Dudley H. Bowen on 10/18/10. (cmr) (Entered: 10/18/2010)

Oct. 18, 2010

Oct. 18, 2010

4

STIPULATION re 3 Order,, Jt. Recommendation regarding distribution of settlement fund by United States of America. (Crowder, Kenneth) (Entered: 10/20/2011)

Oct. 20, 2011

Oct. 20, 2011

5

ORDER approving "Joint recommendation regarding distribution of settlement fund" re 4 Stipulation filed by United States of America. Signed by Judge Dudley H. Bowen on 10/27/11. (cmr) (Entered: 10/27/2011)

Oct. 27, 2011

Oct. 27, 2011

Case Details

State / Territory: Georgia

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 7, 2010

Closing Date: 2015

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice on behalf of applicants for rental property.

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Housing Authority of the City of Eastman, GA (Eastman), City

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: 320,000

Order Duration: 2010 - 2015

Issues

General/Misc.:

Racial segregation

Discrimination Area:

Housing Sales/Rental

Steering

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Affected Race(s):

Black

White