The Fair Housing Act (FHA) bans discrimination in the sale, rental, financing, advertising, and other housing-related transactions on the basis of, among other protected classes, religion and national origin. In a development context the FHA prohibits policies or practices that: (1) limit who may buy or rent because of religion or national origin; (2) use marketing or sales rules that exclude or steer people of a protected class; or (3) impose terms or fees that burden people because of religion or origin. If a planned community is marketed or operated to exclude non‑Muslims or to impose special financing or membership rules tied to religion or national origin, those practices can violate the FHA.
FHEO can investigate complaints, subpoena documents and witnesses, and attempt conciliation. If HUD finds probable cause it can refer cases to DOJ for litigation or issue administrative charges; remedies include injunctive relief (stopping discriminatory practices), monetary damages to victims, civil penalties, and requirements to adopt nondiscrimination policies and training. DOJ can sue for damages and injunctive relief; HUD can also obtain administrative penalties and require corrective actions through administrative proceedings.
Community Capital Partners, LP is the for‑profit development entity created by members of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC); EPIC Real Properties, Inc. is the EPIC‑linked corporate entity that manages/controls the project’s development. Both are named by state and federal officials as the entities developing the planned 402‑acre community (formerly “EPIC City,” now “The Meadow”).
The Meadow/EPIC City is proposed on roughly 402 acres in unincorporated Collin and Hunt Counties, about 40 miles northeast of downtown Dallas near the town of Josephine. Once built the development entities (Community Capital Partners/EPIC Real Properties) would manage the community and plan facilities including a mosque, K–12 school, housing and commercial amenities, subject to county approvals and any third‑party property managers selected later.
HUD’s news release says the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) submitted a complaint alleging a “large‑scale pattern of religious discriminatory conduct” and cites specific allegations: marketing the project as an exclusively “Muslim community,” requiring lot owners to subsidize a mosque and Islamic educational centers, and a two‑tier lottery that advantaged Tier‑One buyers. The TWC complaint document itself has not been publicly posted in HUD’s release; HUD’s statement references the TWC complaint as the source.
If HUD (or DOJ) determines the FHA was violated possible outcomes include: injunctive orders stopping discriminatory marketing/sales rules; orders to reopen sales to qualified buyers; compensatory damages to harmed applicants/buyers; civil penalties payable to the government; mandatory fair‑housing training and revised policies; and referral to DOJ for litigation or to HUD administrative enforcement. In practice DOJ suits can seek injunctive relief and monetary damages; HUD administrative actions can impose penalties and corrective measures.
Community Capital Partners and EPIC Real Properties have publicly denied discrimination, saying the development is open and inclusive and they will cooperate with lawful investigations; Community Capital Partners has also said it renamed the project “The Meadow.” The East Plano Islamic Center and some local developer representatives have issued statements in prior reporting. Texas officials (the Attorney General and governor’s office) have also publicly criticized the project and taken legal or investigative action.