FHCCI News and Updates – 2017

November 22, 2017 – Hate Crime Press Conference Round Up: Below are a number of press stories regarding the November 21 Pass a Hate Crime Law Press Conference:

November 21, 2017 – Press Conference Promotes Passage of Indiana Hate Crime Legislation: The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate (CIAAH) joins with supporting organizations and fellow Hoosiers to host a press conference during the General Assembly’s Organization Day on Tuesday, November 21, 2017. The press conference will take place in the South Atrium of the Indiana State Capitol/Statehouse building on the second floor between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Read more here.

November 13, 2017 – FHCCI Honored with Award: Today, the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana was honored through the work of its project, the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate, with the Honorable Judge David Shaheed Access to Justice Award. The Award was presented to the FHCCI by the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) at the MAI’s Annual Banquet.

October 16, 2017 – FHCCI and Jeffersonville Landlord Reach Fair Housing Settlement: Today, the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) and a Jeffersonville resident announce a $62,500 settlement with Pinnacle Properties Development Group LLC of Jeffersonville, Indiana to resolve allegations the company discriminated against families with children in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. The settlement also included a change in policies, fair housing training, and other forms of affirmative relief, along with payment of plaintiff attorney fees. Pinnacle Properties Development Group LLC made no admission of liability or wrongdoing in connection with the allegations and claims made by plaintiffs and expressly denied any liability or wrongdoing. Read the full press release here.

October 10, 2017 – Fair Housing Lawsuit Against Housing Authority Settles: Today, the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) and two Anderson residents announce a $230,000 settlement with the Anderson Housing Authority of Anderson, Indiana to resolve allegations the Authority discriminated in its ownership and management of its multifamily public housing dwellings on the basis of race, gender, and disability in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. The Anderson Housing Authority denied all material allegations in the filed complaint, except for subject matter jurisdiction. Read the press release here. A copy of the consent decree is here.

September 22, 2017 – FHCCI Amends Complaint Against Rainbow Realty: Today, the FHCCI announces an amendment to its filed complaint against Rainbow Realty, et al to include allegations of violation of the Indiana Home Loan Practices Act. You may review the amended complaint here.

September 21, 2017 – Fair Housing Group Adds ‘Report Hate’ Button to Its Website: A woman and her daughter reported being harassed, stalked, and called the n-word by a neighbor last year in a Chicago area housing development. Investigated by a local housing center, it led to civil case, a settlement, and an in-court apology from the neighbor. That complaint was among the dozen received through the National Fair Housing Alliance’s website since June. Read more here.

September 14, 2017 – Anderson Housing Authority to pay $70,000 to settle discrimination, sexual harassment suit: On the same day a lawsuit alleging discrimination and sexual harassment by employees of the Anderson Housing Authority was filed, a settlement in the case was announced Thursday. According to a press release, the U.S. Attorney’s office and housing authority agreed that the Housing Authority would pay $70,000 to compensate the seven victims of the discrimination who had been identified by the U.S. Department of Justice. Read more here.

September 11, 2017 – Here’s what is a hate crime in Indiana, and what isn’t: What is a hate crime, and what isn’t a hate crime? As Indiana considers whether to add penalties in state law for hate crimes, this is one of the most robust debates. Experts say hate crimes must include two elements: an underlying crime, plus an added motivation or intent to harm a person because of certain characteristics that define who they are or what they believe. Read more here.

September 10, 2017 – From vandalism to murder: Hate crimes you didn’t know were happening in Indiana: The 2016 report has the highest number of reported incidents since 2010. It includes 35 reported crimes targeting black people and 13 targeting people for their sexual orientation. Two crimes were reported as anti-white. Read more here.

September 3, 2017 – Looking back at an old anti-bias law: 1947 legislation outlawed ‘racketeering in hatred.’ Under the law, Hoosiers couldn’t conspire, organize or “confederate” to disseminate malicious hatred by reason of race, color or religion. The law would be repealed in 1977’s criminal code revisions but it is being discussed in the Statehouse as legislators prepare bills for the 2018 session of the General Assembly. Read more here.

September 2, 2017 – Groups rally in opposition to ending DACA protections for young, undocumented immigrants: Advocates called on undocumented immigrant youth to remain strong Saturday and shared information on community resources available in the event President Trump follows through on a campaign promise to kill the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Note: One of the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate signs is featured in this story. Read more here.

August 31, 2017 – FHCCI Executive Director Receives Award for Excellence: The Indiana Consortium of State and Local Human Rights Agencies held its annual training conference and awards dinner August 22-25, 2017 at the Indianapolis Marriott East. Amy Nelson, Executive Director, of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana was awarded the President’s Award of Excellence by the Consortium with other award winners. Read more here.

August 29, 2017 – Settlement Reached in Fair Housing Lawsuit: Today, the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) and the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) announce resolution of their federal lawsuit against the Grandville Cooperative, Inc. and Kirkpatrick Management Co. Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana. Read more here.

August 28, 2017 – “Erasing the hate” event aims to turn Facebook activists into real-life ones: The Fair Housing Center is in need of testers to help uncover potential housing discrimination. “They kind of secret shop, go into places that we need to see if there’s any differential treatment based on a protected class,” said Brady Ripperger, who works for the Fair Housing Center and manned their booth Sunday night. Read more here.

August 21, 2017 – Settlement Reached in Indianapolis Fair Housing Lawsuit: Today, the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) and an Indianapolis family announce resolution of their federal lawsuit against Shiloh Estates. The complaint alleged that the defendants engaged in unlawful discrimination against tenants on the basis of race, color, national origin, familial status, and disability. Read more here.

August 20, 2017 – Indy Star Publishes Series on Combating Hate: The Indianapolis Star published an editorial and series of stories in its Sunday edition about combating and addressing hate:

August 18, 2017 – Participants in first Response to Hate Conference hope for change: Hundreds of people met in Indianapolis to learn more about an increasing number of hate crimes and groups like those who protested in Virginia. People there were concerned, some even worried and scared about what they are seeing in Indiana and other states. Months before the violent and deadly confrontations in Virginia, organizers were planning Indiana’s first Response to Hate Conference. Read more here.

August 17, 2017 – CIAAH Launches Tracking Hate Database at Inaugural Conference: The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate (CIAAH) today announced the launch of a new tool that will help reporting of hate-based crimes and incidents in Indiana. The Tracking Hate Database will become a resource where victims and witnesses of hate-based crimes and incidents involving violence, threats, and bullying can share their experience. The goal is to educate the public, empower others, and show service providers where help is needed, and strengthen advocacy efforts. The announcement was made at the inaugural Indiana Response to Hate Conference, the first of its kind event featuring national and local anti-hate crimes speakers and authorities, which brought together people committed to combating and addressing hate-based crimes and incidents as well as provided hate crime prevention training. Read more here.

  • New database to track hate based-incidents and crimes: A project has been launched to create a database to track hate crimes and hate-based incidents across Indiana. The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate announced the new Tracking Hate Database on Thursday morning at the inaugural Indiana Response to Hate Conference. Read more here.

  • Anti-Discrimination Groups Launch Hate Crimes Database: Anti-hate groups from across central Indiana want to better track hate crimes in the state. The groups met at a conference Thursday to launch a hate crimes database. Read more here.
  • Indiana hate crimes gain reporting database: Hoosiers now have a place to turn to report hate crimes anonymously. On Thursday, the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate announced it created a database, called the tracking hate database. Local activists said this will be a way to better track the number of hate crimes in the Hoosier state. Read more here.

  • ‘Tracking Hate’ database launches at new conference: A new website is out for Hoosiers to report hate crimes. The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate (CIAAH) announced the launch of the new tool at Thursday’s inaugural Indiana Response to Hate Conference. Read more here.

  • Hate crime database launches at ‘Indiana Response to Hate’ conference: A new website is out for Hoosiers to report hate crimes. The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate (CIAAH) announced the launch of the new tool at Thursday’s inaugural Indiana Response to Hate Conference. Read more here.

  • Central Indiana organization launches hate crime database: As community leaders continue to push for a hate crime law in Indiana, a new tool will help people share their experiences. Hoosiers will be able to report hate crimes on the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate website. Read more here.

  • Lawmakers talk hate crime bill, while new tool available for Hoosiers to anonymously report hate crime: Hoosiers now have a place to turn to report hate crimes anonymously. On Thursday, the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate announced it created a database, called tracking hate database. Read more here.

  • Law Prof. at Conference: Anyone Can Be a Victim of a Hate Crime; Conference aims to encourage a state hate crimes law: There will be another push for a hate crimes law in Indiana. The Hoosier State is one of five without a state hate crimes law. It was addressed in the legislature last year, but did not pass. Thursday the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate held the Indiana Response to Hate Conference, where Matthew Shepard’s mother spoke, encouraging the passage of a hate crimes bill. Her gay son was beaten and set on fire, then left to die in 1998, while he was a student at the Univ. of Wyoming. Read more here.

August 15, 2017 – The State Of Hate: Racism In America: On this special Noon Edition of Indiana Public Media, panelists discussed the state of hatred and racism in America. Amy Nelson is the Executive Director for the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate. Nelson says the incident that took place is nothing new. Listen to the podcast here.

August 14, 2017 – Indiana lawmakers react to Charlottesville attack, push for state hate crime law renewed: The attack is raising concerns about state laws here in Indiana. Officials with the Fair Housing Center say Indiana needs stronger protections against hate crimes. Read more here.

August 14, 2017 – These are the hate groups operating in Indiana: Updated story with new video.

August 14, 2017 – Charlottesville reignites race relations conversation in Indy: “We’re in Indiana. There’s no hate crime law here. What’s to stop a Charlottesville from happening here,” Dorsey said. Read more here.

August 13, 2017 – Local advocacy group fighting for hate crime law: In an interview recorded Friday before the tragic events in Charlottesville, we sit down with State Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) and two local advocates to discuss the push for a hate crime law in Indiana, an effort that has ended in failure in recent years at the Statehouse. In the video above, the group’s organizer Amy Nelson joins Sen. Taylor and David Sklar from the Indiana Jewish Community Relations Council to discuss next week’s event. Read more here.

August 12, 2017 – Anti-Hate Work Highlighted During WTLC’s AM 1310 The Light’s Unity in the Community Radio Show: Did you miss today’s broadcast of Unity in the Community at AM 1310 The Light? You can watch/listen to the video below. The discussion of the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate begins around the 15 minute mark. Thanks to Pastor Jackson for inviting us and the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council – INSILC in for this discussion. We were discussing the horrible events in Charlottesville as they were happening. Watch the video here.

August 9, 2017 – New alliance hosts conference to broaden awareness and action against hate crimes: The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate (CIAAH) is a project initiated by the Fair Housing Center for Central Indiana (FHCCI). As an organization, FHCCI is dedicated to fair housing practices and eliminating housing discrimination in Indiana. But Executive Director Amy Nelson says hate-based crimes and incidents that extend beyond fair housing laws are still neglected in Indiana. Read the full story here.

August 8, 2017 – No Limits Radio Show Discusses Increase in Hate: Indiana is one of only five states that does not have hate crime laws in effect, but August will mark the first-ever Indiana Response to Hate Conference. The Bureau of Justice estimates two-thirds of hate crimes go unreported, encompassing incidents from racism to denying the rights of those with disabilities. Our guests to discuss the upcoming conference are Amy Nelson, Executive Director of Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana; Rima Khan Shahid of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana; and Amber O’Haver, with the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council. Listen to the podcast here.

August 7, 2017 – Inaugural Indiana Response to Hate Conference to raise awareness of hate-based crimes in Indiana: The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate (CIAAH) will host the inaugural Indiana Response to Hate Conference on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at the Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel, located at 7202 E. 21st St. The first-of-its-kind event will bring together people committed to combating and addressing hate-based crimes and incidents, as well as provide hate crime prevention training. Read the full story here.

July 27, 2017 – Controversial home ‘flipper’ late on payments, faces investigation and judgment in lawsuit: An Indianapolis company that enters into contracts to buy homes and then resells them to people who can’t get traditional financing was late this month in making payments to sellers and now faces a potential six-figure payoff in a Hancock County lawsuit. Read the full story here.

July 27, 2017 – Fair Housing Orgs. Expand Foreclosure Complaint In Indy, Gary: A national fair housing group says Deutsche Bank and two other businesses are less likely to maintain foreclosed, bank-owned homes in majority-black areas of 30 cities, including Indianapolis and Gary. The complaint includes analysis of 22 properties in Gary, and 18 in Indianapolis, where Amy Nelson is executive director of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana. Read the full story here.

July 27, 2017 – Inaugural Indiana Response to Hate Conference to Raise Awareness of Hate-Based Crimes in Indiana: The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate (CIAAH) today announced it will host the inaugural Indiana Response to Hate Conference on Thursday, August 17, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel, located at 7202 E. 21st St., Indianapolis, Ind. The first of its kind event will bring together people committed to combating and addressing hate-based crimes and incidents as well as provide hate crime prevention training. The CIAAH is a project of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana and was created to reduce the occurrence and combat the consequences of hate crimes and hate-based incidents occurring in Central Indiana. Read the press release to learn more, or visit the conference event page.

July 26, 2017 – National Fair Housing Alliance and 19 Fair Housing Organizations Charge Deutsche Bank and its Preservation Maintenance Companies with Housing Discrimination based on Race and National Origin: Today, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) (with the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana) announced that it has found substantial new evidence in support of allegations that Deutsche Bank, Ocwen Financial, and Altisource continue to discriminate against communities of color in 30 metropolitan areas throughout the United States, including Indianapolis. NFHA has filed an amended administrative complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). NFHA alleges that Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Bank National Trust, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Ocwen Financial Corporation, and Altisource Portfolio Solutions, Inc. fail to provide required routine maintenance on bank-owned homes in middle- and working-class African American and Latino neighborhoods, while Deustche/Ocwen/Altisource consistently provide routine maintenance on similar bank-owned homes in white neighborhoods. Read more:

July 7, 2017 – Federal authorities investigate fair housing complaints against Noblesville, Hamilton County: Federal authorities are investigating housing discrimination complaints against the city of Noblesville and Hamilton County over the lack of low-income housing in the wealthy suburb. Read the Indianapolis Star story here.

July 6, 2017 – Fair Housing Center Files Discrimination Complaints Against Hamilton County and City of Noblesville: Today, the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) announces the filing of fair housing complaints with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) alleging that Hamilton County and the City of Noblesville violated the Fair Housing Act and/or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. More info at:

June 25, 2017 – Indianapolis Star Highlights Dangers of Rent-to-Own Transactions: The Indianapolis Star has published a series of articles highlighting the dangers of rent-to-own housing transactions:

June 14, 2017 – FHCCI Releases 2016 Annual Report: The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) has released its 2016 Annual Report. The report highlights the major work of the FHCCI during the 2016 calendar year through its four main programs: Advocacy, Education, Inclusive Communities, and Public Policy. The FHCCI recorded 901 housing intakes in 2016 which was a 24% increase over 2015. Of those intakes, 179 contained fair housing allegations. The FHCCI also conducted 35 trainings for 1,106 participants on fair housing, to name a few of its activities. The full report can be downloaded from the “Reports” column/box to the right or click here.

May 30, 2017 – Fair Housing Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Against Persons of Color Filed Against Indianapolis Rent-To-Own Companies: Today, the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) and four Indianapolis residents announce the filing of a federal class action lawsuit against Rainbow Realty Group, Empire Holding Corp., and James R. Hotka of Indianapolis, Indiana. The complaint alleges that the Defendants violated civil rights and consumer protection laws, including the federal Fair Housing Act, the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and Indiana landlord-tenant laws. The Defendants’ scheme involves almost 1,000 houses in Marion County, Indiana. More info below.

April 15, 2017 – Bill pits affordable housing against property rights: Amy Nelson, executive director of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, said the bill could lead to discrimination and hardship for families with multiple children—or family members with physical restrictions who sleep in living or dining rooms. Read the full IBJ story here.

April 5, 2017 – Mayor Hogsett Issues Fair Housing Proclamation: In honor of Fair Housing Month and the upcoming fair housing conference sponsored by the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, Mayor Hogsett has issued a proclamation which can be viewed here.

March 15, 2017 – Coalition of Concerned Hoosiers Urges Lawmakers to Approve Hate Crimes Law This Year: A diverse, statewide coalition representing Hoosier communities and concerned residents are urging lawmakers to continue to work on hate crimes legislation this year. The comments came at a press conference held at the Indiana Statehouse this afternoon. Present at the event were representatives from many supporting organizations and their message was clear: The time is now, and the need is obvious. Read more here.

March 9, 2017 – FHCCI selected for anti-hate grant: The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) has been awarded a $125,000 “Communities Against Hate” grant by the Open Society Foundations, which “works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people,” according to an FHCCI statement. Read the full story here.

March 9, 2017 – Efforts underway to boost Black homeownership: Homeownership is considered by many to be a rite of passage and a crucial component of the American Dream, but for many in the Black community, that dream is being deferred. FHCCI Executive Director Amy Nelson is quoted. Read the full story here.

March 1, 2017 – FHCCI Receives Communities Against Hate Grant: The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $125,000 “Communities Against Hate” rapid-response grant by the Open Society Foundations. This funding initiative was a national competition awarding a total of $3 million in funds nationwide. Read more here (English). Spanish language here.

February 20, 2017 – FHCCI Releases New Fact Sheets: Today, the FHCCI has released two new fact sheets (1) Fair Lending Frequently Asked Questions and (2) Immigrants, Refugees, and People of All Religious Faiths Fair Housing Rights. You can review and download the entire FHCCI Fact Sheet Series on the FHCCI Education Page.

February 6, 2017 – FHCCI Supports SB 439: The FHCCI supports passage of SB 439 which would establish a hate crime law in Indiana. Indiana is one of only five states which does not have a bias motivated crime law (hate crime law). Read more here.

January 28, 2017 – FHCCI Opposes SB 558 – Bill Denies Housing to Qualified Families with Children: On Monday, January 30, 2017, the Senate Civil Law Committee will hear SB 558. The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) urges a “Do Not Pass” on SB 558 due to its language which would allow housing landlords in Indiana to limit occupancy to two persons per bedroom regardless of the size of the rental unit, size of the bedrooms, presence of any office or den, age of the children, or any local safety code allowing additional occupants. This language is in direct conflict with guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and court rulings. The passage of SB 558 would increase discrimination against families with children and decrease their housing opportunities. Read more here.

January 27, 2017 – National Property Management Company Settles Housing Discrimination Complaint: Today, the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan (FHCWM), the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI), the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHCSMM), the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan (FHCSWM) and the Central Ohio Fair Housing Association (COFHA) announce that they have settled a fair housing complaint against AMP Residential, an Indianapolis-based property management company that owns and operates apartment complexes throughout the United States. Read more here.

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