Colorado Complex Agrees to Pay $70K to Resolve Discrimination Complaint

HUD recently announced a $70,000 settlement in a case alleging discrimination based on familial status and disability at a Colorado community. The settlement resolves HUD complaints filed by a fair housing group and a Denver-area family with children, accusing the community’s owners and property manager of having a “no kids” policy and limiting housing options for persons with disabilities.

According to the complaint, a man looking for an apartment for himself, his wife, and his toddler son responded to a Craigslist ad for a unit at the complex and was told by the on-site manager that the community did not rent to families with children. In subsequent tests conducted by the fair housing organization, another manager allegedly told a tester, "no kids," and "we don't accept children." The manager also allegedly told a tester posing as a deaf person that "we don’t allow service animals," and "if you’re deaf I don’t think this is the place for you."

Under the agreement, the owners and manager will pay $70,000 to the fair housing group and the complaining family, provide employees with fair housing training, and establish a company-wide antidiscrimination policy. In addition, future ads for the complex will include explicit language encouraging families with children and people with disabilities to apply.

"Families with children and residents with disabilities have a hard enough time finding housing that meets their needs without having to face unlawful discrimination," Gustavo Velasquez, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a statement. "HUD will continue working with our partners to make certain housing providers meet their obligations under the Fair Housing Act."