Fair Housing Center Logo.
Dawn Simpson and son Zander Davis.

Simpson v Arbor Apartments

#W07-101 | Location: Ann Arbor | Court Level: Federal | Settlement: $15,000

Categories: Familial Status, Rental
Tags: Children, Shared Bedroom

“…because we have only 1 bedroom apartments, there are no children.” This illegal ad was found on the website of Arbor Apartments after Dawn Simpson told the FHC that an Arbor Apartments’ agent said that she and her toddler son could not share a one-bedroom apartment. Testing evidence supported the claim of discrimination based on familial status. The FHC found that on multiple occasions the rental agents told testers that the City of Ann Arbor prohibits a parent with a child to rent a one-bedroom apartment. Testers were told “they [the units] aren’t big enough, and no children are allowed. It’s an Ann Arbor ordinance;” “it’s pretty quiet because there are no kids;” “they [the units] are all one-bedrooms so there are no children or dogs;” “we have a no-children policy.” Ms. Simpson accepted $15,000 to settle the case against Allmand Properties–owners of Arbor Apartments. The case was filed by FHC Cooperating Attorney Jonathan G. Weber. Ms. Simpson’s case was assigned to Federal District Judge George Caram Steeh. Testing for this complaint was funded in part by the City of Ann Arbor.

Learn More

Stay Informed

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to keep up to date on our cases, events, and other fair housing news.