FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1995                            (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888


        JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES GLENDALE APARTMENT COMPLEX
            FOR REFUSING TO RENT TO AFRICAN AMERICANS


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today sued the
owners and manager of a Glendale, California, apartment complex 
for allegedly refusing to rent units to African-Americans.  The
case stems from a nationwide testing program that has produced 28
suits, including four in the Los Angeles area alone.
     Under the program, trained pairs of black and white testers
with similar credentials posing as prospective tenants inquire
about available units.  By comparing the experiences of the
testers, investigators are able to determine whether minorities
are treated less favorably than whites.
     Today's complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Los
Angeles, accuses the owners of the Kenwood Court Apartments,
Herman and Eva Schondorf, and the manager, Joe Davila, of
engaging in a pattern of discrimination against African Americans
and families with children in violation of the federal Fair
Housing Act.  It alleged that black testers were subjected to
different rental terms and conditions than their white
counterparts.  The complaint also alleged that the complex
discriminated against families with children -- which has been
illegal since 1989.
     "We must continue to vigorously fight racial discrimination
in housing which too often goes undetected," said Assistant
Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick.  "Today's
action demonstrates that the testing program is a critical tool
in our effort to eradicate housing discrimination throughout the
country."
     The Justice Department conducted its testing in conjunction
with the Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley.  
     The complaint seeks an order preventing the owners and
manager of the complex from engaging in further discriminatory
practices and requiring the defendants to pay damages to victims
of the alleged housing discrimination.  Under the Fair Housing
Act, a court may also require each defendant to pay a civil
penalty of up to $50,000 for the first violation and $100,000 for
each subsequent violation.
     Individuals who believe they may have been the victims of
housing discrimination at Kenwood Court Apartments, situated at
340 N. Kenwood St. in Glendale, should call the Housing Section
of the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department at 
202-514-4713, or the Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley at
818-273-1185. Individuals who believe they have been the victims
of housing discrimination at other locations should call the
Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-927-9275.
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