The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said that it approved a Conciliation Agreement between Area Housing Commission, a public housing authority in Pensacola, Florida, and a female resident resolving allegations that one of its maintenance workers sexually harassed the woman.

Under the terms of the agreement, Area Housing Commission will pay the woman $100,000.

The agreement also settles allegations that the commission retaliated against the woman when she reported the alleged sexual harassment.

The case came to HUD’s attention after the woman filed a complaint alleging that one of Area Housing Commission’s maintenance workers subjected her to a severe incident of sexual harassment. The woman’s complaint further alleged that she reported the incident to commission authorities, but they retaliated against her.

In addition to the $100,000, the Area Housing Commission will move the woman to a three-bedroom apartment once an appropriate unit becomes available and provide her with a parking space close to her unit.

The commission will also make sure that a female employee is in the woman’s apartment anytime maintenance work is being performed; create a policy prohibiting sexual harassment of applicants, tenants and voucher holders; establish a formal sexual harassment complaint procedure and provide sexual harassment training for employees.

The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful for a housing provider, including a public housing authority and its staff, to sexually harass a tenant. This includes creating a severe or pervasive hostile housing environment, or conditioning housing or housing-related services on the tenant’s acquiescence to sexual demands. The Act also prohibits retaliating against persons who complain about housing discrimination.

“When people think of home, they think about safety, security, a place to create lasting memories – not about being subjected to unwanted sexual advances or degrading treatment,” said Anna María Farías, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

Last month, HUD and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a public service announcement (PSA) to raise awareness of housing-related sexual harassment and to reach persons who are victimized by it. The goal of this campaign is to make it easier for victims to find resources and report harassment.

April 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Persons who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).

Source: Florida Realtors