Owner and Property Manager of Florida RV Park Agree to Pay $45,000 to Resolve Claims of Housing Discrimination Against Transgender Woman

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it has entered into a Consent Order with the owner of a Davenport, Florida RV park, 21 RV Palms Resort, Inc., and its property manager, Nathan Dykgraaf, to resolve allegations of gender identity discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. Read the consent order here.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from discriminating on the basis of sex, which includes prohibiting tenants from expressing their gender. HUD's Charge of Discrimination resulted from a complaint that the tenant, a transgender woman, filed with HUD. The Charge alleged that Dykgraaf violated the Act when he gave the tenant a letter stating that he was aware she was transitioning and telling her to act as a man, talk as a man, and dress as a man to avoid trouble.

"Housing providers have no place restricting a transgender resident's expression of their gender identity," said Demetria L. McCain, HUD's Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "And, as HUD's Charge and Consent Order make clear, HUD will vigorously enforce the Fair Housing Act to protect the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals and ensure housing providers do not fail to meet their fair housing obligations."

The Consent Order, approved by a HUD Administrative Law Judge, requires 21 RV Palms Resort and Dykgraaf to pay the tenant and her family $45,000 in damages. 21 RV Palms Resort and Dykgraaf are also barred from future discrimination and will undergo training on the Fair Housing Act, including training on transgender and gender non-conforming discrimination. The Consent Order does not constitute an admission of liability by 21 RV Palms Resort or Dykgraaf.

"Today's important settlement demonstrates HUD's continuing commitment to ensuring housing providers do not discriminate because of gender identity," said Damon Smith, HUD's General Counsel. "HUD will take action to seek redress for victims of such discrimination."

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) 877-8339 (Relay). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to hud.gov/fairhousing.

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