42 U.S.C. § 3614

Enforcement by Attorney General

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(a) Pattern or practice cases

Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any of the rights granted by this subchapter, or that any group of persons has been denied any of the rights granted by this subchapter and such denial raises an issue of general public importance, the Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate United States district court.

(b) On referral of discriminatory housing practice or conciliation agreement for enforcement(1)(A) The Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate United States district court for appropriate relief with respect to a discriminatory housing practice referred to the Attorney General by the Secretary under section 3610(g) of this title.(B) A civil action under this paragraph may be commenced not later than the expiration of 18 months after the date of the occurrence or the termination of the alleged discriminatory housing practice.(2)(A) The Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate United States district court for appropriate relief with respect to breach of a conciliation agreement referred to the Attorney General by the Secretary under section 3610(c) of this title.(B) A civil action may be commenced under this paragraph not later than the expiration of 90 days after the referral of the alleged breach under section 3610(c) of this title.(c) Enforcement of subpoenas

The Attorney General, on behalf of the Secretary, or other party at whose request a subpoena is issued, under this subchapter, may enforce such subpoena in appropriate proceedings in the United States district court for the district in which the person to whom the subpoena was addressed resides, was served, or transacts business.

(d) Relief which may be granted in civil actions under subsections (a) and (b)(1) In a civil action under subsection (a) or (b), the court—(A) may award such preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible for a violation of this subchapter as is necessary to assure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this subchapter;(B) may award such other relief as the court deems appropriate, including monetary damages to persons aggrieved; and(C) may, to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent—(i) in an amount not exceeding $50,000, for a first violation; and(ii) in an amount not exceeding $100,000, for any subsequent violation.(2) In a civil action under this section, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee and costs. The United States shall be liable for such fees and costs to the extent provided by section 2412 of title 28.(e) Intervention in civil actions

Upon timely application, any person may intervene in a civil action commenced by the Attorney General under subsection (a) or (b) which involves an alleged discriminatory housing practice with respect to which such person is an aggrieved person or a conciliation agreement to which such person is a party. The court may grant such appropriate relief to any such intervening party as is authorized to be granted to a plaintiff in a civil action under section 3613 of this title.

(Pub. L. 90–284, title VIII, § 814, as added Pub. L. 100–430, § 8(2), Sept. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 1634.)Editorial NotesPrior Provisions

A prior section 3614, Pub. L. 90–284, title VIII, § 814, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 88, related to expedition of court proceedings under section 3612 or 3613 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(40), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3360.

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date

Section effective on 180th day beginning after Sept. 13, 1988, see section 13(a) of Pub. L. 100–430, set out as an Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note under section 3601 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 126 cases (27 in the last 5 years), 1971–2026 · leading case: United States v. City of Jackson MS, 359 F.3d 727 (5th Cir. 2004).
United States v. City of Jackson MS, 359 F.3d 727 (5th Cir. 2004). · cites it 6× “CA could have intervened under 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (e), but it did not — probably because the City threw in the towel even before the bell sounded for round one.”
Garcia v. Brockway, 526 F.3d 456 (9th Cir. 2008). · cites it 4× “Were we to adopt the dissent's interpretation, we would make it impossible, or at least more difficult, for the Attorney General to bring a design-and-construction claim against builders under 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (a), because design and construction of an FHA-noncompliant building…”
United States v. Gritz Bros. P'ship, 155 F.R.D. 639 (E.D. Wis. 1994). · cites it 31× “” Among other relief requested, the United States seeks “a civil penalty against the defendants in an amount of money authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (d)(1)(C), in order to vindicate the public interest.”
United States v. Taigen & Sons, Inc., 303 F. Supp. 2d 1129 (D. Idaho 2003). · cites it 8× “Defendants contend that the magistrate judge erred in finding that (1) Plaintiffs claims raise an issue of “general public importance” sufficient to support the Plaintiffs action under 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (a), (2) Plaintiffs claims for compensatory damages are timely under the…”
United States v. Rent Am., Corp., 734 F. Supp. 474 (S.D. Fla. 1990). · cites it 17× “This initial complaint sought injunctive relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. § 3614 (d)(1)(A) (West Supp.1989), monetary damages for victims of the discrimination pursuant to 42 U.”
United States v. Inc. Vill. of Island Park, 888 F. Supp. 419 (E.D.N.Y 1995). · cites it 5× “The government’s claim for declaratory and injunctive relief under the Fair Housing Act is premised on 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (a). This court has previously held that no statute of limitations applies to a suit for injunctive relief under this provision.”
United States v. East River Hous. Corp., 90 F. Supp. 3d 118 (S.D.N.Y. 2015). · cites it 4× “Finally, in addition to its claims on behalf of Aaron, Eisenberg, and Gilbert, the Government alleges that East River’s conduct constitutes a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of rights granted by the FHA, and/or a denial to a group of persons of rights…”
United States v. City of Chicago Heights, 161 F. Supp. 2d 819 (N.D. Ill. 2001). · cites it 4× “” 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (a). The Government has filed a motion for partial summary judgment on its reasonable accommodation and 1998 Zoning Code claims.”
City of Edmonds v. Oxford House, Inc., 514 U.S. 725 (1995). · cites it 2× “Even if the new law prevents Edmonds from enforcing its rule against Oxford House, a live controversy remains because the United States seeks damages and civil penalties from Edmonds, under 42 U. S. C. §§ 3614 (d)(1)(B) and (C), for conduct occurring prior to enactment of the…”
United States v. Marsten Apts., Inc., 175 F.R.D. 257 (E.D. Mich. 1997). · cites it 8× “Procedural Background The United States of America brings this action pursuant to the Fair Housing Act of 1988, 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (a). The United States alleges that defendants have engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of race, color, and familial…”
Fed. Ins. v. Steadfast Ins., 209 Cal. App. 4th 668 (Cal. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 4× “” ( 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (a).) A “ ‘[discriminatory housing practice’ ” under the Fair Housing Act is “an act that is unlawM under section 3604, 3605, 3606, or 3617 of this title.”
United States v. Gumbaytay, 757 F. Supp. 2d 1142 (M.D. Ala. 2011). · cites it 13× “§§ 1331 and 1345 and 42 U.S.C. § 3614 (a). The parties do not contest personal jurisdiction or venue, and the Court finds adequate allegations in support of both personal jurisdiction and venue.”
— 42 U.S.C. § 3614(a) — 1 case
United States v. Habersham Props., Inc., 319 F. Supp. 2d 1366 (N.D. Ga. 2003).
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