Notable Fair Housing Project Lending Discrimination Case 

Hargraves and the Fair Housing Council v. Capital City Mortgage Corporation (D.D.C. 1:98-CV-01021)

In April 1998, the Fair Housing Project and Baach, Robinson & Lewis filed a federal lawsuit against Capital City Mortgage Corporation alleging that it targets African-American census tracts in the District of Columbia for its fraudulent, usurious, and predatory lending practices. Capital City markets loans -- with interest rates as high as 31% -- to African-Americans with equity-rich properties and poor credit. The lawsuit alleges that once borrowers fall behind on their payments, the mortgage company relies on hidden "accelerator clauses" to add on points, penalties, and attorneys' fees. As a result, the company forecloses on properties to satisfy borrowers' debts. The lawsuit alleges that these practices violate the Fair Housing Act and the civil RICO statute. The Federal Trade Commission has filed a companion case and both are expected to go to trial in 2000.


Notable Fair Housing Project Sexual Harassment Case 

Williams and the Fair Housing Council v. Poretsky Management 

Lisa Williams was repeatedly harassed by a maintenance worker at her apartment complex in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Despite her complaints, the Poretsky Management did nothing to protect her. The Project and Terris, Pravik & Wagner filed a federal lawsuit against the company. In 1996, the Fair Housing Project won a landmark ruling establishing that landlords are liable under the Fair Housing Act where sexual or racial harassment has become severe enough to create a "hostile living environment." In addition, Ms. Williams and the Fair Housing Council won an award of $200,000 in damages.


Notable Fair Housing Project Disability Discrimination Case 

Wright and the Fair Housing Council v. Ralph D. Rocks 

In 1991, Jack Wright, who is deaf and blind, applied for a rental apartment at Wheaton Place in Wheaton, Maryland and offered to pay a full year's rent in advance. The rental agent rejected his application, stating that the apartment complex did not have "handicapped facilities" and suggesting alternative apartment buildings with such facilities. The Fair Housing Project and Foley & Lardner filed a federal lawsuit that settled for $160,000 and a free, two-bedroom apartment for the rest of Mr. Wright's life.



Notable Fair Housing Project Race Discrimination Case  

Reeves & The Fair Housing Council of Greater Washington, Inc. v. Carrollsburg Condominium Owners Assoc. (D.D.C. 96-02495)

In a precedent-setting case, the court ruled in 1997 that a condominium association can be held liable under the Fair Housing Act for failing to take action to stop racial harassment of one condominium owner by another. Deborah Reeves, an African American, suffered racial and sexual invective by a fellow condominium owner, culminating in a threat to lynch her. The condominium board and management took no action, despite Ms. Reeves' repeated complaints. Ultimately, the condominium association paid $550,000 to Ms. Reeves, and the offending owner was enjoined from violating the Fair Housing Act.