Dist. Ct. did not err in granting defendant-bank’s motion for summary judgment in plaintiff-County’s action under Fair Housing Act (Act), alleging that defendant improperly targeted potential minority borrowers for home loans knowing that said borrowers could not repay loans, which in turn caused plaintiff to incur expenses associated with vacant properties after said loans were foreclosed, as well as lost tax income and transfer fees. Under Miami, 581 U.S. 189, Act provides relief only for injuries proximately caused by statutory violations. Moreover, plaintiff failed to allege any direct injury caused by defendant, where: (1) only borrowers incurred direct injuries from defendant’s alleged conduct in form of lost housing and money; and (2) plaintiff’s injuries were not directly related to alleged violations of Act, since plaintiff’s alleged injuries derived from injuries incurred by borrowers and other banks.
Federal 7th Circuit Court
Civil Court
Fair Housing Act