WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today it approved an agreement between the owners and managers of Maycliff Mobile Home Park in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a family to resolve allegations that the landlords refused to allow an elderly woman’s son and his pregnant wife to live at the property after their child was born. The property improperly claimed to be housing for older persons. Read the conciliation agreement.
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The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from denying or limiting housing to families with children, including pregnant women. Housing providers may exclude families with children under the age of 18 if the property meets the requirements to qualify as senior housing under the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995.
“Landlords and property owners have an obligation to treat every applicant the same, including pregnant women and families with young children,” said Gustavo Velasquez, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “Housing providers may not exclude pregnant women and children under 18 unless the housing meets all requirements for exempt housing for older persons.”
In order to qualify for the “housing for older persons” exemption, a facility or community operating as housing for persons who are 55 years of age or older must satisfy each of the following requirements:
- At least 80 percent of the occupied units must have at least one occupant who is 55 years of age or older;
- The facility or community must publish and adhere to policies and procedures that demonstrate the intent to operate as “55 or older” housing; and
- The facility or community must comply with HUD’s regulatory requirements for age verification of residents.
The case came to HUD’s attention when a female resident of the mobile home park filed a complaint alleging that the owners and managers of the property required her son and daughter-in-law, who were also her live-in caretakers, to vacate the property after they found out that her daughter-in-law was pregnant.
Under the conciliation agreement, the owner and managers will pay the elderly woman $15,000, and will ensure compliance with the Fair Housing Act and HUD’s regulations. The owners and managers will also obtain 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 www.hud.gov/fairhousing, or by downloading HUD’s free housing discrimination mobile application, which can be accessed through Apple and Android devices.
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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
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Elena Gaona
(202) 708-0685