The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has launched an investigation into the entities behind the proposed “EPIC City” in Plano, Texas.
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) will investigate EPIC Real Properties, Inc., and Community Capital Partners, LP, for their Muslim housing development called “The Meadow,” which is believed to have violated the Fair Housing Act through religious and national origin discrimination. The development was formerly called “EPIC City.”
“It is deeply concerning the East Plano Islamic Center may have violated the Fair Housing Act and participated in religious discrimination,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “As HUD Secretary, I will not stand for illegal religious or national origin discrimination in housing and will ensure that this matter receives a thorough investigation so that this community is open to all Texans.”
The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the Texas Workforce Commission, which detailed a pattern of discriminatory activity by the developers. The allegations include marketing materials advertising an exclusive “Muslim community,” financial arrangements that would have required lot owners to fund a mosque and Islamic education centers, and a two-tier lottery system for lot sales.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) declared his support for the probe. “Last year, I directed the Texas Workforce Commission to investigate EPIC and any affiliated entities for violations of the Texas Fair Housing Act. After a thorough investigation, Commission staff later filed a detailed complaint, which HUD has now accepted for federal investigation,” Abbott said. “I support HUD Secretary Scott Turner’s efforts to hold EPIC and its affiliates accountable to our anti-discrimination laws. Together, we will hold anyone involved in violating the law accountable. The Meadow will remain just that—an empty field.”
Similarly, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that the Muslim-centric development violated federal and state securities laws and regulations. “After a thorough investigation, it has become clear that the developers behind EPIC City flagrantly and undeniably violated the law,” Paxton said in October. “The bad actors behind this illegal scheme must be held accountable for ignoring state and federal regulations. In accordance with state law, the [Texas State Securities Board] should review our findings and refer this matter to me for further legal action.”
