United States Attorney’s Office Increases Efforts to Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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LOS ANGELES – United States Attorney Nick Hanna is asking anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker, or anyone with control over housing to report that conduct to the Department of Justice.

            The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay rent on time and has increased housing insecurity. The Department of Justice has received reports of housing providers trying to exploit the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, and the Department of Justice stands ready to investigate such allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.

            “Sexual harassment in housing is reprehensible and contrary to the rule of law,” Mr. Hanna said. “My office works closely with state and local partners to identify incidents of sexual harassment in housing and will use all available enforcement tools against perpetrators.”

            Sexual harassment in housing includes demands for sex or sexual acts in order to buy, rent or continue renting a home. It also includes other unwelcome sexual conduct that makes it hard to keep living in or feel comfortable in your home.

The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative (Iniciativa del DOJ para Combatir el Acoso Sexual en Vivienda) was launched in 2017 and has resulted in the filing of lawsuits across the nation alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing. As part of the initiative, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit in January alleging that the property manager of two apartment buildings in Los Angeles violated the Fair Housing Act by sexually harassing female tenants for more than a decade. The lawsuit alleged that the owners of the property are also responsible for his conduct.

            The Department of Justice, through the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.

The Justice Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov. Individuals may also report housing discrimination or other civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Section in the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office by calling (213) 894-2879, emailing USACAC.CV-CivilRights@usdoj.gov, or completing and submitting this form in English or Spanish.

Individuals may also file a complaint alleging harassment or discrimination in housing with the Department of Housing and Urban Development through its website or by calling (800) 669-9777. 

            Release No. 20-081

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