ASHLAND, Alabama — The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the Housing Authority of Ashland, Alabama, for allegedly intentionally discriminating on the basis of race or color against applicants for housing, the DOJ said.
The Housing Authority of Ashland, Alabama, manages seven federally funded low-income housing complexes. The complaint alleges the Housing Authority denied African-American applicants the opportunity to live in overwhelmingly white housing complexes, according to the DOJ.
Also named as defendants in the lawsuit are Southern Development Company of Ashland, Ltd., Southern Development Company of Ashland #2, Ltd. and Southern Development Company LLC, the private owners and managing agent of one of the housing complexes.
“Individuals and families should not have their rights affected by their race or national origin,” said U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama. “Our office is committed to defending the civil rights of everyone.”
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants have maintained segregated housing properties by denying African-American applicants the opportunity to live at three housing complexes since 2012. The three complexes named are Ashland Heights, Clay Circle and Eastside.
The lawsuit also alleges that white housing applicants were denied the opportunity to live at West Side and Pine View housing complexes.
The DOJ asks those who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination to contact the department toll-free at 1-800-896-7743 or by email at fairhousing@usdoj.gov.
Federal law prohibits the discrimination of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability.
