The Justice Department announced a landmark civil rights settlement with the city of Hesperia, California, and its sheriff's department over allegations they illegally discriminated against Black and Latino renters.
Under the terms of the settlement, which requires final sign off from a federal judge, the city and sheriff's department must pay nearly $1 million and fully repeal a crime-free housing ordinance that mandates landlords to evict those who police reported had been involved in criminal activity, even if the offense was minor or if it didn't result in formal charges, an arrest or conviction.
The Justice Department first sued the city in 2019 over the ordinance, singling out comments by one city councilmember who said it was necessary to correct a "demographical problem" in Hesperia as its Black and Latino populations were increasing. Another council member was quoted saying its purpose was to get landlords to remove "blight" from their rental units and compared it to calling in an exterminator to kill roaches.
Other funds will go toward the payment of civil penalties, funding for affirmative marketing to promote fair housing in Hesperia; funding for partnerships with community-based organizations, and more, according to the DOJ. MORE: Should racism and discrimination be viewed as public health threats? A new study argues they should
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