Case: United States v. Wheeling Housing Authority
5:11-cv-00009 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
Filed Date: Jan. 14, 2011
Closed Date: 2015
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Case Summary
On January 14, 2011, the Department of Justice filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia under the Fair Housing Act against the Wheeling Housing Authority. The Department of Justice, on behalf of African-American residents of the Hil-Dar apartment complex, sought declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief, claiming that the Wheeling Housing Authority failed to take appropriate action when informed of racial harassment directed some African-American residents by other residents of the apartment complex. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that the defendant failed to respond to reports of verbal abuse, racial slurs, threats, and attempted assaults by a neighboring family.
On April 26, 2012, a consent order was approved by Judge Frederick P. Stamp in which the defendant agreed to cease all forms of racial discrimination, provide general notice of nondiscrimination to its tenants and prospective tenants, provide nondiscrimination training to its employees, maintain certain records and adhere to a reporting schedule, and provide the plaintiffs with monetary relief in the amount of $18,500. The consent order was in effect until 2015.
On May 30, 2013, parties agreed to modify the terms of Paragraph 19 of
the Consent Order to ensure that the defendant establish and adopt a policy to contact the Wheeling Police Department within seven days of receiving notification, from a resident or another source, that the Wheeling Police Department has visited the Hil-Dar Apartment Complex, and collect any reports of such police visits.
On March 18, 2014 Judge Stamp, in response to a motion filed by the plaintiffs, issued an order to distribute monetary damages to a minor who was soon reaching the age of majority.
The consent decree terminated in 2015, and the case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Gregory Pitt (8/2/2012)
Lakshmi Gopal (5/15/2016)
People
Bond, Rebecca B. (District of Columbia)
Frank, Beth Susan (New York)
Ihlenfeld, William J. II (West Virginia)
Majeed, Sameena Shina (District of Columbia)
Delk, Jr., David L. (West Virginia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
Last updated March 26, 2025, 8:25 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 14, 2011
Closing Date: 2015
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The United States on behalf of African-American residents of an apartment complex in West Virginia
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
City
Wheeling Housing Authority
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.
Other Dockets:
Northern District of West Virginia 5:11-cv-00009
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Develop anti-discrimination policy
Amount Defendant Pays: $18,500
Order Duration: 2012 - 2015
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):
Case Summary of United States v. Wheeling Housing Authority, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/11921/ (last updated 5/15/2016).