Sep 02
A legal battle between the City of Saint Paul and a handful of landlords could force the city to pay millions.
It all centers around code enforcement.
The city says it was trying to make sure housing is safe and sanitary. Landlords who are part of the suit say the city went too far, hurting their rental business, hurting people who need affordable housing.
Twelve St. Paul landlords claim the city’s aggressive code enforcement forced them to make expensive unnecessary repairs. They say the enforcement also forced them to cut back or sell out and that hurt affordable housing in St. Paul.
via KSTP TV – Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Aug 19
A convicted molester is losing his house to foreclosure, but is blocked by county law from moving to a different house a block away.
via MiamiHerald.com.
[Which will result in an unworkable law for owners]
Aug 12
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division today announced an agreement with the Latvian Tower Condominium Association Inc. and its former president, Karl Tegtmeyer, to settle allegations of discrimination against families with children. Under the consent decree, which must still be approved in federal court in Omaha, Neb., the defendants must pay $112,500 to victims of discrimination and an additional $15,000 to the government as a civil penalty.
via United States Department of Justice.
Aug 03
Here’s an unintended consequence of the post-crash emphasis on quality control in the mortgage business: New parents are being rejected because of the cost of taking maternity leave. The New York Times reports:
Even if a parent plans on returning to work within weeks, some lenders are balking at approving the loans.
via Minyanville.com.
Jun 14
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library on Friday released 42,000 more pages of memos and notes on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. In some documents from her time as the former president’s aide, Kagan pushed for a broader interpretation of religious freedom over state anti-discrimination laws.
via Courthouse News Service.
Jun 11
The advertisements, all for the same apartment in Chelsea, stated, “the apartment may have lead paint so if you have young children under 6 years old or are on Section 8 this will not work for you.” In addition, the complaint alleges that when an investigator from the AG's office contacted Eastern Property and posed as a father with a young child, he was steered away from renting the advertised property and told that he would have to sign a release form before he could rent the property.
via the daily item of lynn
Jun 08
A landlord found guilty of discriminating against a man who uses a wheelchair will have to pay $37,710 in damages and penalties.
via The Journal News.
Jun 08
“We‘re using every avenue to shut the door against discrimination,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Today, we take an important step to insist that those who seek federal funding must demonstrate that they are meeting local and state civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
via HUD
