Tuesday, November 5, 2024
HomeNewsDC Attorney General Announces Victory in Lawsuit Over Displacing of Black Tenants

DC Attorney General Announces Victory in Lawsuit Over Displacing of Black Tenants

-

DC Attorney General Karl Racine said his office has won a long-running lawsuit against a group of landlords and developers who conspired to displace African American tenants from homes they lived in for years.

A settlement, which resolved the lawsuit filed against the owners of Congress Heights Apartments — CityPartners and Geoffrey Griffis, will set a precedent for future cases, according to Racine. 

“This resolution holds slumlords and developers accountable for executing their illegal and immoral business plan that brazenly and unlawfully put profits over people. It’s a major victory for the courageous remaining tenants of the Congress Heights Apartments and for affordable housing in the District,” Racine said in a statement on Wednesday, January 5.

With the settlement, Racine’s first lawsuit that aims to protect low-income tenants in the apartment building has been concluded.

The landlords will now be held accountable for using illegal tactics in order to force the residents out for creating pricey market-rate housing near the Congress Heights Metro Station and making those people live in unsafe conditions.

The building’s new nonprofit owner will redesign the 47-unit apartment complex as 180 units of affordable housing.

“Thank you to our Attorney General Karl Racine for standing up for us, the tenants at the Congress Heights apartments, when our landlords for many years endangered our health and safety, violated our TOPA rights, and tried to force us to leave our homes,” Ruth Barnwell, head of the Congress Heights SE Tenants Association, was quoted as saying in Racine’s release.

“Now, at last, our determination and hard work with our advocates and lawyers—and the crucial receivership case brought by the Office of the Attorney General—are paying off.  For decades in the future, our tenants—along with many other members of our community, including families and seniors—will be able to enjoy living in safe, healthy and affordable housing in Congress Heights.”

Three previous consumer protection lawsuits filed by Racine’s office against the complex’s former owners, Sanford Capital and Carter Nowell, were resolved in 2019 through a joint settlement agreement that led to the restitution of $214,000 to 10 remaining tenants.

You Might Also Like

Latest Posts

Best Seafood Markets in Washington DC: Create Your Home-Made Feast

Seafood enthusiasts can find great joy in cooking their own seafood dishes, as well. These are the best seafood markets in Washington DC.

Best Roofing Services in Washington DC: Note These Places Down

As fall has already arrived, winter no longer seems so far away. It is best to take care of your roofing needs before it is too late. These are the best roofing services in DC.

Best Study Places in DC for When You Are Bored of Working at Home

Done staring at the walls of your dorm room and sick of trying to work uncomfortably on your bed? Here are the best places to study in DC.