HUD AND SOUTH DAKOTA APARTMENT COMPLEX SIGN AGREEMENT SETTLING DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS

SIOUX FALLS S. D. - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has reached an agreement settling claims that East Park Apartments in Sioux Falls, S.D., violated the Fair Housing Act when it refused to do maintenance repairs in a unit for a biracial couple living there at the time.

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against persons because of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status.

Evy Meininger, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) Region VIII Director said, "HUD is pleased that an agreement was reached with the managers of East Park Apartments and the couple. The Fair Housing Act
guarantees every person the right to live where they choose and not be denied basic services because of their
race."

The case came to HUD's attention in November 2009 when an African-American man and white woman living in the unit filed a complaint alleging that the manager of the East Park Apartments complex refused to make maintenance repairs to their apartment because they are a biracial couple.

Under the agreement, East Park Apartments must pay the couple $1,350 ($1,000 moving cost and $350 deposit)
and complete fair housing training in the future. The agreement also reverses a court judgment in the amount of $1,500 that the couple incurred while living at the property.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Initiatives Program and the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate more than 10,000 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 or at www.hud.gov/fairhousing.

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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.