By Alabama Public Radio
Saraland, AL – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has filed charges against a Saraland landlord for allegedly refusing to rent to blacks. Officials say Beulah Stevens violated the federal Fair Housing Act. Stevens was charged after an investigation found that she had discriminated against a white female tenant and her 18-month-old biracial child. HUD officials say the discrimination was based on race and color. Officials say Stevens agreed to rent a single-family house to Michele Jones in 2002. But they say Stevens was unhappy when she discovered that Jones entertained black friends and had a biracial child. Officials also say Stevens told Jones that she didn't want to see any more black people at the house. Jones eventually moved out of the house and filed a complaint with the Mobile Fair Housing Center. Stevens denies the allegations.