Community to Build Playground to Resolve Discrimination Complaint

A Colorado community has agreed to build a $10,000 accessible playground as part of a settlement with HUD to resolve allegations of housing discrimination by refusing to allow children to play outside.

Last fall, HUD filed the complaint, alleging that the community unfairly restricted the activities of children. According to HUD, the community’s monthly newsletter set the following rule:

"All children must be supervised by an adult at all times while playing outside. No sports activities, skateboarding, roller-blading, or general extracurricular activities are to take place in our community. If we see anyone violating any of the above activities or see any unsupervised children they will be sent home immediately."

Under the settlement, the community agreed to design and build the play area, which will be accessible to persons with disabilities, within six months and to provide employees with fair housing training. The community also agreed to amend its policies to comply with federal fair housing law regarding familial status and to distribute the new rules to employees and residents.

"A requirement of constant parental supervision of all minors, and even teenagers, is oppressive, unnecessary, and unfairly burdensome on families with children," Bryan Greene, HUD's Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a statement. "The Fair Housing Act protects the rights of families with children to enjoy the same housing amenities that others do."

Source: HUD