A U.S. Attorney’s Office investigation has uncovered a shocking case of housing discrimination in Cedartown, Georgia. Crimson Management LLC, Benefield Housing Partnership (doing business as Cedartown Commons), and Cedartown Housing Associates (doing business as Cedarwood Village) have agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging race discrimination in housing.
The lawsuit, filed in May 2020, alleged that the defendants steered Black housing applicants who are elderly or have a disability away from Cedarwood Village, a predominantly white housing complex, to Cedartown Commons, a housing complex that is inferior in appearance, location and amenities to Cedarwood Village.
The lawsuit further alleged that the defendants subjected Black residents who are elderly or have a disability to less favorable rental terms, conditions and privileges compared to similarly situated white tenants.
The defendants’ policies allegedly perpetuated segregation at the two properties. Under the court-approved decree, the defendants are required to pay $83,000 in damages to three former tenants who were allegedly harmed as a result of the defendants’ racial steering.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division jointly litigated the case. The defendants are also required to implement nondiscriminatory policies and procedures, complete fair-housing training, and submit periodic reports to the Justice Department.
“Access to housing opportunities remains unequal for African-American housing applicants all too often,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “My office will continue to devote resources to eradicate this injustice and we will continue to hold housing providers accountable for racial discrimination in violation of the Fair Housing Act.”
Defendant: Crimson Management LLC, Benefield Housing Partnership (doing business as Cedartown Commons), and Cedartown Housing Associates (doing business as Cedarwood Village)
Criminal Charges: Race discrimination in housing
City and State: Cedartown, Georgia
Exact Date: May 2020 – settlement date not specified
Sentence or Outcome: $83,000 in damages, implementation of nondiscriminatory policies and procedures, completion of fair-housing training, and submission of periodic reports
Dollar Amounts: $83,000
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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