The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved a conciliation agreement with a Modesto, Calif. rental property owner and his management company, Tri-Tal Realty, resolving allegations that they refused to rent a unit to a couple because they have three children.
The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status. This includes refusing to rent to a family because they have children.
“Families shouldn’t have their access to housing denied simply because they have children,” Anna María Farías, HUD’s assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a news release. “This type of discrimination has been against the law for more than 30 years and HUD will continue working to make the public and housing providers aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.”
The case came to HUD’s attention when Project Sentinel, a HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program agency, filed a complaint on behalf of the couple. The housing providers deny any wrongdoing.
Under the terms of the agreement, the owners and manager will pay $10,000 to the couple and $5,000 to Project Sentinel. In addition, the agreement requires that Tri-Tal Realty revise its policies and that its employees attend annual fair housing training for the next three years.
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