OCEAN ESTATES II, LLC, SUN CHASE AMERICAN ET AL PAYS $5,000 TO
SETTLE COMPLAINT INVOLVING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

ATLANTA - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that Ocean Estates II LLC,
Sun Chase American et al agreed to pay $5,000 settling allegations that they refused to allow a family housing in Gautier, MS due to the size of the family.

"Children and their parents have rights under the Fair Housing Act" said Carlos Osegueda, HUD, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Region IV Director. "I am glad that HUD and the parties ensured that those rights were protected and a family that needed housing has an opportunity to receive it."

The settlement follows a HUD investigation of a complaint against a newly constructed low-income housing tax credit property from a woman with children. The Complainants said that they were denied housing because of the number
of children in their family. They said when they met with the leasing agent, the agent asked how many persons were in the household. Complainants alleged that the agent denied them the opportunity to complete the application when they said that the family was comprised of two adults and six children. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to
have policies that discriminate or have a discriminatory effect against families with children.

According to the voluntary agreement in this case, Sun Chase American agrees to pay $5,000 to Complainants, place them at the top of the waiting list, if they meet all other eligibility requirements for their housing; ensure its tenant selection policy is in full compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act; and, ensure that employees are aware of their responsibilities under the Act.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.