Victory: Senior Apartment Complex Will Now Allow Client To Advertise “Bible” Study in Community Room Announcements

The ACLJ has achieved another victory on behalf of a resident of a senior apartment complex. Earlier this month we informed you of the demand letter we sent on behalf of our client. The purpose of that demand letter was to inform the complex of our client’s rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and receive assurances that our client’s Bible study be placed back on the complex’s calendar.

As we explained, our client leads a weekly Bible study in one of the complex’s small conference rooms and was able to advertise this event as a Bible study until June when it was removed from the calendar and replaced with the generic term “Spiritual Services.” The reasoning our client received at the time was that events with the word “Bible” in them were not permitted on the calendar. Meanwhile, nonreligious events appeared freely without any censorship.

After receiving our demand letter, the complex expressed a willingness to work with us in devising a solution, and we are pleased to report that our client’s advertisement will again be placed back on the calendar as a resident-led Bible study.

As we stated previously:

Many senior living facilities mistakenly believe that they must refrain from any association with religion. Contrary to this belief, the FHA prevents these facilities from treating religious activities differently from secular activities. Specifically, the FHA requires that residents be treated equally without regard to their particular religion. Even if the apartment complex was applying a neutral policy that had a discriminatory effect on a protected class, such as religion, federal courts have recognized that an FHA violation could still be established. Importantly, federal courts have held that the FHA protects individuals from discrimination before and after the acquisition of their residence or property. As one federal court has explained, “Consistent with Congress’ broad purpose in enacting the FHA, its language, and HUD’s implementing regulations, courts throughout the country have held that [the FHA] applies to a myriad of activities related to housing beyond the actual selling and renting of homes.”

As was explained to us, the original advertisement was removed due to a misunderstanding that has now been cleared up following receipt of our letter. We are grateful to the complex for resolving this matter with us in a manner consistent with the FHA.

We will continue to fight against censorship in senior apartment complexes. If you have experienced a similar issue, you may have recourse under federal law. Please contact us at ACLJ.org/HELP.