Royston Housing Authority reaches settlement

ATLANTA - Officials with the Housing Authority for the city of Royston have agreed to pay up to $270,000 to resolve allegations that the agency discriminated against housing applicants based on race.

The complaint filed by the U.S. Justice Department accused the agency of steering and assigning applicants for housing based on race rather than placement on a waiting list. The complaint also alleged that the agency subjected black tenants to ``inferior terms and conditions of rental.''

The settlement will require that the housing authority implement nondiscriminatory policies and procedures.

In addition, the RHA will establish a $270,000 fund to compensate individuals who suffered damages.

A spokeswoman for the authority was not in the office and nobody was available for comment Monday.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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