United States v. Little Rock Planning Commission (E.D. Ark.)

On September 30, 2003, the United States filed a complaint in United States v. Little Rock Planning Commission (E.D. Ark.), alleging that the Commission violated the Fair Housing Act on the basis of race when it denied a special use permit to an African American family who wanted to build a manufactured home in a white residential neighborhood. The complaint alleges that the Commission voted to deny the permit after white residents opposed the request at a public hearing although the application met all applicable zoning requirements and the manufactured home was compatible with the existing area, which included other manufactured homes and mobile homes. On October 4, 2004, the parties agreed to a Stipulation of Voluntary Dismissal. The case was referred to the Division after the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received a complaint, conducted an investigation and issued a charge of discrimination.