The Nation - News from March 14, 1989

The first housing discrimination lawsuits seeking compensatory monetary damages authorized by Congress under new provisions of the Fair Housing Act, which took effect Sunday, were filed by the Justice Department. “Most discriminatory housing practices have been illegal for over 20 years; the new act makes them expensive as well,” Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh said in a statement after the suits against apartment operators in Florida and Minnesota for alleged discrimination against blacks were filed. Before the amendments took effect, plaintiffs in housing discrimination suits could obtain only up to $1,000 in civil penalties. The compensatory damages enacted by Congress are intended to repay plaintiffs not only for the loss of time and money but for humiliation and emotional suffering. Property owners also can be fined $50,000 for the first finding of discrimination and up to $100,000 for a second violation.