Earlier this month, the National Fair Housing Alliance announced a settlement agreement with Independence Place of Charlotte, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg housing provider, resolving a familial status housing discrimination complaint. The settlement agreement will increase housing assistance funds available to low-income families in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.
The complaint alleged that Independence Place of Charlotte advertised the property as an “adult living community” and that occupants must be “30 years or older.” The National Fair Housing Alliance investigated the property and discovered additional evidence that the property enforced – verbally and in writing – age-based policies that resulted in familial status discrimination. In December 2019, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee issued a determination that there was reasonable cause to believe that Independence Place of Charlotte limited the housing choices of families with children in violation of local law.
As part of the settlement agreement, the housing provider will pay $70,000 to National Fair Housing Alliance for damages, costs, and fees, as well as $27,000 in grants to be distributed to area nonprofits that provide housing assistance to low-income families in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The company will also discontinue policies that discriminate against families with children, as well as conduct fair housing trainings for the staff and the public.
Click here to learn more about fair housing protections for families with children.
More from this Newsletter Issue: Summer 2020
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