Case Summary
**Case Summary: Inclusive Communities Project v. Lincoln Property Company**
**Docket Number:** 7625274
**Court:** United States Supreme Court
**Argued:** 2015
**Decided:** June 25, 2015
**Citation:** Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. v. Lincoln Property Company, 576 U.S. 519 (2015)
**Background:**
The case centers around a challenge to discriminatory housing practices under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The Inclusive Communities Project, a nonprofit organization, aimed to promote affordable housing and combat discrimination in Dallas, Texas. It brought a lawsuit against Lincoln Property Company, a real estate firm, alleging that the company had engaged in practices that had a disparate impact on racial minorities, which perpetuated segregation in housing.
The plaintiffs argued that Lincoln Property's actions, including the management of rental properties and the placement of low-income housing, disproportionately affected African American residents and violated the FHA’s prohibition against discrimination. The case raised significant questions about the legal standards for assessing "disparate impact" under the FHA, specifically whether such claims could proceed without a showing of intentional discrimination.
**Legal Issue:**
The primary issue was whether the Fair Housing Act allows for claims of disparate impact. Specifically, the Court needed to determine if a plaintiff could establish a violation of the FHA based on the effects of a policy that may not have been intended to discriminate against a particular group.
**Supreme Court Decision:**
The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Fair Housing Act does permit claims of disparate impact. The majority opinion, delivered by Justice Anthony Kennedy, affirmed that the FHA is designed not only to prohibit intentional discrimination but also to identify and eliminate practices that have the effect of perpetuating inequality in housing. The ruling clarified that policies causing a disparate impact on protected classes could violate the FHA, thereby fostering greater accountability for housing providers regarding their practices.
**Significance:**
The decision in Inclusive Communities Project v. Lincoln Property Company is significant as it reinforces the principle that housing discrimination can occur through policies that are not overtly discriminatory but have unequal effects on different racial and ethnic groups. This case established that the Fair Housing Act encompasses both intentional discrimination and policies that have a disparate impact, thereby broadening the scope of protections against housing discrimination.
**Outcome:**
The ruling was a victory for civil rights advocates and organizations focused on promoting equitable housing policies. It provided a framework for examining the impact of housing practices and enhanced protections for vulnerable communities against discrimination, contributing to ongoing efforts to address racial segregation and inequality in housing across the United States.