HUD Charges Chicago Couple and Real Estate Agents with Refusing to Sell Home to Black Couple

Strategic Insights -

HUD announced charges against a Chicago couple, their real estate agent, and a real estate broker for allegedly refusing to sell a home listed for $1.799 million to a black couple due to their race, in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The charge alleges that the couple, Daniel and Adrienne Sabbia, and real estate agent Jeffrey Lowe stalled negotiations and took the property off the market after receiving a $1.7 million offer from the couple, who submitted the highest offer the sellers had received in the two years the property was on the market. The charge also names the Lowe Group Chicago, Inc. and real estate broker, Prudential Rubloff Properties. "Racial fairness is important at all income levels. Civil rights enforcement must be the effective shield against housing discrimination that in this case wealth was not," stated John Trasvina, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) charged Daniel and Adrienne Sabbia, Jeffrey Lowe, the Lowe Group Chicago, Inc., and Prudential Rubloff Properties with refusing to sell a home to a black couple due to their race, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
  • The Sabbias allegedly took the property off the market after receiving a $1.7 million offer from the couple, who submitted the highest offer they had received in two years.
  • The charge also alleges that Jeffrey Lowe told HUD investigators that Daniel Sabbia expressed a preference not to sell his home to an African-American.
  • The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.
  • HUD's action is also on behalf of the prospective buyers' real estate agent who was effectively denied a commission by the alleged discriminatory action of the sellers.
  • If an administrative law judge finds after a hearing that discrimination has occurred, they may award damages to aggrieved persons for the damages caused them by the discrimination.
  • HUD investigates over 10,000 housing discrimination complaints annually.

Statistics:

  • The property was listed for $1.799 million.
  • The couple offered $1.7 million, which was the highest offer the sellers had received in two years.
  • HUD investigates over 10,000 housing discrimination complaints annually.
  • HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program can be reached at 1-800-669-9777 (voice) and 800-927-9275 (TTY).

Sources:

  • United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (N.D.). Hud Charges Chicago Couple, Real Estate Agent and Broker with Discriminating against Homebuyer.