City’s Redevelopment Plans Discriminatory

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The city of Ansonia, CT, along with its housing authority have agreed to settle allegations that they discriminated against minorities and families after demolishing an apartment building.

According to HUD, the city and housing authority later reneged on a promise to rebuild affordable units at the site. The building was a HUD subsidized, low-income public housing complex.

“These agreements will help ensure that former public housing residents in Ansonia and the surrounding area, including minority households and families with children, have access to much needed affordable housing,” said Dave Ziaya, HUD’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD will continue to work with housing authorities and local governments to create greater housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families.”

The housing authority received an approval letter from HUD to demolish the aging complex. HUD approved the demolition on condition that the housing authority wouldrebuild 48 units and that residents would have the right to return following redevelopment. However, the authority has since refused to rebuild the units.

The agreements settle two complaints that were filed with HUD by a former resident who was relocated when the housing authority demolished five buildings on the property. He alleged that most of the displaced residents were African-Americans, Hispanics, and families with children.

The complaint against the city alleged that the former mayor publicly opposed the redevelopment of the property and interfered with plans to rebuild units on the site. This was alleged to violate The Fair Housing Act, which makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or familial status, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Under the terms of the agreements, the housing authority will complete construction of the first replacement unit within three years. The city will make an official statement of support for the redevelopment of the property and appoint a building committee to oversee the redevelopment effort. City and housing authority staff and board members will also receive fair housing training.

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