U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision to Preserve the Disparate Impact Standard
NEW YORK, NY – June 29, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Gregory Meeks released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to preserve the disparate impact standard under the Fair Housing Act:
“The Supreme Court’s decision to preserve “disparate impact” is a major victory for civil rights and fair housing defenders who have relied on this instrument for the past four decades to challenge discriminatory housing practices. This ruling preserves the legal consensus that disparate-impact claims generally are permissible under the Fair Housing Act.
“Enacted in 1968, the FHA prohibits intentional discrimination against individuals in the sale, rental, or financing of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. The act also prohibits disparate-impact discrimination, which arises when a neutral policy or practice has disproportionately negative effects on minorities, even if there was no explicit intent to discriminate. Since its passage, and against the backdrop of disparate-impact liabilities, many cities have become more diverse.
“Much progress remains to be made in our nation’s continuing struggle against racial injustices and prejudices, but I fully agree with Justice Kennedy, that the Fair Housing Act continues to play a major role in moving the nation toward a more integrated society.”
