HUD APPROVES SETTLEMENT INVOLVING CALIFORNIA HOUSING PROVIDERS ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today t it has approved a Conciliation Agreement between Oberhauser Trust, in Escondido, and its leasing agent, First Core Group, Inc. doing business as Keller Williams Realty, in Glendale, California, settling claims that the leasing agent allegedly denied a father of two children the opportunity to rent a condominium. Read the agreement.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from denying or limiting housing to families with children under age 18, including refusing to negotiate and making discriminatory statements based on familial status.

"Families today face enough challenges without being denied a place to call home because they have children," said Anna María Farías, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "HUD will continue working to ensure that housing providers meet their obligation under the Fair Housing Act to treat home seekers with children equally."

The case came to HUD's attention after a father of two and his father-in-law filed a complaint alleging that the father was denied the opportunity to rent a condominium because he has two young daughters who would be living with him part-time. The father alleged that the leasing agent refused to consider his application for the unit, saying, "I don't want to waste your time or mine. Sorry." The owner and leasing company deny that they discriminated against the family but agreed to settle the complaint.

Under the terms of the agreement, the owners and brokerage agency will pay $10,000 to the father and will revise their fair housing policy to contain provisions that there are no preferences against renting or selling properties to families with children. In addition, representatives of the owners and their leasing agents will attend fair housing training.

People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to hud.gov/fairhousing.

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