California RE Firm Settles with Interracial Couple Claiming Race, Disability Discrimination

HUD recently announced that it has entered into a Conciliation Agreement with California property owners, a property management company, and a property manager, resolving allegations that they discriminated against an interracial married couple on the basis of race and disability. A former employee of the property allegedly made discriminatory statements and refused to provide an accessible parking space for the husband.

The case came to HUD’s attention when the couple filed a complaint claiming that the housing providers discriminated against them because of race and disability. The complaint alleged that the property manager made discriminatory comments and that other tenants subjected them to racial slurs and threats. They also alleged that they were refused an accessible parking space.

Under the terms of the agreement, the property owner has agreed to pay the couple $25,000, and all the defendants have agreed to process any and all future requests made by or on behalf of applicants and/or residents for reasonable accommodation in a timely manner and provide fair housing training for their staff. The defendants deny any violation of the law, and their entering into the Conciliation Agreement doesn’t constitute an admission of violating the law. You can read the agreement here.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from discriminating because of race and disability. This includes making discriminatory statements and refusing to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.

“Families deserve the right to enjoy their homes, free from discrimination,” said Demetria L. McCain, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD remains committed to ensuring that all housing providers meet their fair housing obligations.”