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DALLAS
- November 5, 2014 - The City of Dallas has entered into
an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in
regards to a fair housing investigation of the City.
In 2010, 1600 Pacific
Building, L.P., filed a complaint with HUD alleging that the City discriminated
under Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act) when the
City declined to fund proposed redevelopment of the building at 1600 Pacific.
The developer claimed that the City was not in compliance with the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Housing and
Community Development Act. In response to the complaint, HUD’s regional office
of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) began an investigation of the
City. On November 22, 2013, the regional office issued a Letter of Findings of
Non-Compliance to the City.
On January 9, 2014, the
City responded with a 59-page letter and one hundred exhibits (including more
than 1,000 pages of evidence supporting the City’s arguments). The City’s reply
challenged the facts, findings, and concerns of the letter, pointed out errors
and omissions, and rejected HUD’s conclusions.
The City’s response included a request that HUD’s national FHEO staff
review the regional office’s findings.
After considering the
City’s reply and request for review, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity determined that at least some of the regional office’s findings
were incorrect. The City strongly believes that all of HUD’s findings are incorrect,
and today’s agreement absolves the City of wrongdoing.
"I appreciate the
immediate attention Secretary Castro gave to this matter and the leadership he
showed to make housing for all a priority in the City of Dallas," said
Mayor Mike Rawlings.
Under this agreement, the
City admits no wrongdoing, pays no money to HUD, and gives no relief or money
to 1600 Pacific Building, L.P. The City will continue development of its
Housing Plus plan and incorporate the finalized plan into the next Analysis of
Impediments. The City agrees to host a regional housing symposium and to
attempt to organize a regional housing study. The City Manager and City
Attorney have also agreed to present the Dallas City Council with a
recommendation to expand the non-discrimination ordinance to include a
prohibition of discrimination based on source of income.
In the agreement, HUD acknowledges
that at least some of its findings were incorrect and confirms that it has closed
the developer’s case and will take no further action with regard to the
complaint. Current and future federal funding to the City is not affected, and the
City is not being found at fault for any claims in the 2013 HUD letter.
“This agreement allows us
as a City to move forward in partnership with HUD to continue to serve the
needs of our community,” said City Manager A.C. Gonzalez. “We were able to show
HUD the inaccuracies in their initial report and feel confident in our ability
to work together.”
The full
text of the agreement can be viewed here.
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