Press Releases

HOME assists voucher holder with Virginia Fair Housing Office complaint in a successful conciliation with a Chesterfield, VA apartment complex after allegations of source of funds discrimination

July 8, 2024

HOME represented Tamesha Thompson in reaching a settlement with Meadowbrook Apartments in Chesterfield, VA. HOME and Ms. Thompson submitted a complaint for source of funds discrimination to the Virginia Fair Housing Office against Meadowbrook Apartments. The complaint alleged that Meadowbrook Apartments discriminated against Ms. Thompson when Ms. Thompson called Meadowbrook Apartments and inquired about an apartment with her voucher.

Report finds racial bias in home values, displacement of Black residents, amid crisis in affordability and discrimination

May 30, 2024

HOME of VA, in partnership with The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilmember, Richmond City Council – Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, released a report revealing that due to historic and present-day racial bias, the racial composition of a neighborhood is a better predictor of home values than home size, type, or condition. The report also highlights how decades of home devaluation have left Black neighborhoods vulnerable to community displacement through sudden spikes in housing costs. Statistical analysis found major losses of Black residents, with some neighborhoods experiencing losses of Black residents ranging from 18-45% from 2010-2019.

Report PDF: Racial Disparities in Neighborhood Home Values

Companion pieces:

Tri-Hope Life Ministries files federal fair housing lawsuit against Powhatan County for rejection of recovery home

March 21, 2024

Tri-Hope Life Ministries (Tri-Hope) filed a federal lawsuit today alleging that the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors discriminated on the basis of disability against Tri-Hope and its clients by requiring and then refusing to approve a permit to allow individuals in recovery from addiction to reside together in a home leased by Tri-Hope for this purpose.

Landlord Pays $70K To Settle Alleged Violations of Fair Housing Protections for Families with Children

April 3, 2023

Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME of VA) and Sara [Name changed] settled a federal lawsuit in the Eastern District of Virginia alleging discrimination on the basis of family status in violation of federal fair housing laws, with Defendant Lawrence White Everett. Plaintiffs HOME and Sara received a total settlement of $70,000, including fees and costs. Additionally, per a prior agreement with the Virginia Attorney General, the defendant stepped away from his role as property manager.

VC Solutions LLC and The Coleman Group LLC Pay $67K To Settle Alleged Violations of Fair Housing Protections for Families with Children

December 13, 2022

Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME) has reached a global settlement between HOME of VA, their client Tracy Ferrell, Mechanicsville-based property management company VC Solutions LLC, and property owner The Coleman Group LLC. In 2019, HOME and Ms. Ferrell filed a fair housing complaint with the Virginia Fair Housing Office alleging that VC Solutions and the Coleman Group LLC violated federal and state fair housing and civil rights laws by not renting to families with children.

HOME of Virginia Announces Next President & CEO Thomas Okuda Fitzpatrick

March 16, 2022

HOME of VA announced today that after a nationwide search, Thomas Okuda Fitzpatrick will serve as HOME’s fifth president & chief executive officer in its 50‐year history starting April 6, 2022.

HOME of VA and Other Fair Housing Groups Reach Historic Settlement with Fannie Mae Focused on Rebuilding Communities of Color

February 7, 2022

The settlement will directly and immediately benefit the communities of color throughout the Richmond, Virginia region and nationwide hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis and its aftermath. Read the settlement agreement.

Resources available to individuals and families in the Richmond region that can help them avoid eviction.

May 10, 2021

A recent federal court decision potentially overturning the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) nationwide eviction moratorium has created uncertainty for individuals and families protected by the CDC rule.

HOME Settles Federal Discrimination Lawsuit Against Richmond Landlord, Teresa Vetter

January 26, 2021

Must sell rental properties and cannot be a landlord for 5 years. Must pay $25,000. Must take mandatory fair housing training.

HOME of VA Receives $300,000 Grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to Keep Richmond Renters in Homes

October 19, 2020

Grant will help renters impacted by COVID-19 with counseling and legal assistance to avoid eviction, part of the company’s efforts to keep people housed.

Settlement with Kay Management Company Reached Regarding Discriminatory Criminal Background Screening Policy

July 16, 2020

HOME, Kay Management Company, and Former Tenants Reach Settlement Regarding Criminal Background Screening Policy that HOME Alleged Disproportionately Excluded Black and Latinx Housing Applicants

HOME Files Federal Fair Housing Lawsuit Against Richmond Landlord

May 19, 2020

“I mean being a private landlord as opposed to an apartment complex, there are things that—there are—I can subtly just disregard certain laws like that.” – Teresa Vetter

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