HUD Charges Churchill Downs with Violations

As reported by the Business First: "The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has charged Churchill Downs Inc., and its subsidiary Arlington Park Racecourse LLC, with violating the Fair Housing Act.

"A news release from the department said the companies restricted racetrack workers and their children to housing that consists of overcrowded single-room units with no private bathrooms or air conditioning, while offering workers without children the option to live in housing that provides those amenities.

"…Discriminatory housing assignment practices violate the familial status provision of the federal Fair Housing Act.

"…During the horseracing season of May through September, Arlington Park, Churchill's racetrack near Chicago, provides housing along the backstretch of the track for employees of horse trainers and their families.

"Up until late 2004, dorm units were provided in eight buildings. In late 2004 and early 2005, Arlington Park constructed two more dorm buildings, for a total of 10 dorm buildings.

"Through the end of the 2004 racing season, all families with children were assigned to two of the buildings, the release said. During HUD's investigation, racetrack owners and operators admitted that families with children were specifically barred from five of the buildings, and HUD charges that the racetrack also excluded workers with children from an another dorm building.

"Among other violations, HUD is charging the owners and operators of the track with discriminatory 'steering,' or the publication of discriminatory statements and preferences, and providing different terms and conditions in housing based on familial status, the release said…"