ECBAWM Settles Race Discrimination Case Against Brooklyn Landlord

  • March 3, 2014

A federal judge approved a settlement agreement in FHJC et al v. Kara Realty et al, a case filed by ECBAWM in 2013 alleging race discrimination at Brooklyn rent-stabilized apartment buildings based on a testing investigation conducted by the Fair Housing Justice Center. The agreement provides $212,000 to the FHJC and four African American testers for damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs. The three-year agreement covers 16 buildings managed by Ocean Empire Management Company and containing over 900 apartments. The agreement provides for injunctive relief, including adopting non-discriminatory rental policies, advertising available apartments, and attending fair housing training. Plaintiffs were represented by ECBAWM’s Katherine Rosenfeld and Diane L. Houk.