Landlord Faces Discrimination Complaint For Allegedly Forcing White Tenant's Move After Being Seen Talking With Black Neighbors In Front Yard

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced last month:

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) [last month] announced that it has charged two Tallassee, Alabama landlords with violating the Fair Housing Act for allegedly forcing white tenants to move out of their house after the owners saw the couple talking with black neighbors in their front yard.(1)

For the rest of the press release, see HUD Charges Alabama Landlords With Discrimination (Couple forced to move after visit from black neighbors).

(1) According to the press release, in February 2008, Melissa Jones, her fiancé, and their child moved into a property owned by Wilber and Julie Williams. While Jones' African-American neighbors were visiting with her in the front yard, the Williamses drove by and witnessed the gathering. Later that day, Ms. Williams called Ms. Jones and allegedly said, "Those people need to leave. I don't want those people on my property." According to the HUD charge, Ms. Williams intimidated and coerced Ms. Jones during another phone call.