By: Jared Hernandez, Program Manager

September 17, 2024 (San Diego) -- Sexual harassment by landlords or property managers is a form of discrimination that violates the Fair Housing Act. This law, designed to ensure equal access to housing, prohibits not only discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability but also includes protections against sexual harassment. For many tenants, particularly vulnerable groups like low-income single mothers, sexual harassment can be a devastating barrier to securing safe and stable housing.

In a significant development, CSA of San Diego County, San Diego’s fair housing agency, announced in August the precedent-setting settlement of CSA v. Neri (case 3:23-cv-01369), a case alleging sexual harassment of female tenants by San Diego landlord Ron Neri. Under the terms of the settlement, Neri will pay a global amount of $275,000 and is required to change his business practices pursuant to a consent decree.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in July 2023, alleges that Neri violated the Fair Housing Act by targeting low-income single mothers with housing vouchers for sexual harassment. The plaintiffs included former, current, and prospective tenants. CSA of San Diego County, also a plaintiff, investigated the tenants’ claims. Neri contested all claims in the complaint and denied any liability.

East County News Service

April 27, 2021 (El Cajon) --  CSA San Diego County, an El Cajon-based nonprofit, invites you to participate in its Fair Housing Symposium on April 28 and 29. The online Symposium aims to raise the alarm about “COVID-19 Conundrums”.

Speakers will discuss the impact the pandemic has had on community access to social justice, economic wellbeing, health and housing as well as potential avenues to address such disparities. 

Speakers for the two day sessions include Fair Housing Advocates Amy Nelson, the Executive Director Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, Christopher Brancart, Attorney of Brancart and Brancart, Joshua V. Barr, Director of the Civil and Human Rights Commission. Others include public housing and health advocates Dr. Rakesh Patel, the Chief Executive Officer of Neighborhood Healthcare, and Laura Nunn, Chief of Policy and Education for the San Diego Housing Federation.