GRAND RAPIDS — ADC-Michigan is meeting with officials in Grand Rapids to investigate allegations that two condominium owners were harassed, intimidated and threatened with bodily harm for housing Arab high school exchange students in their homes. 

According to the complaint, the condominium owners enrolled in an educational exchange program that allows high school students from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE to live in their home. After the arrival of the students in Grand Rapids, one member of the condominium association began harassing the condo owners for providing housing to “terrorists” who were “uncivilized.” 

The neighbor proceeded to send letters to other owners in the condominium association, defaming the two women for housing the Arab students and claimed “those people” were adversely affecting the value of the condominiums. The story has many other disturbing facts according to a statement issued by ADC-MI. 

The group plans on filing a federal complaint against the condominium association, alleging fair-housing and civil rights violations. The ADC-Michigan also plans to file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure any actions that discriminate against Arab-Americans and other minorities be addressed in the proper manner. 

“We have received more and more complaints of housing discrimination and we will continue to fight each of these complaints that violate federal or state house laws,” said Attorney Fatina Abdrabboh, the director of ADC-MI.

If you or anyone you know has ever been discriminated against while trying to rent an apartment or purchase a home, please call the ADC-Michigan immediately at adcmich@adc.org or 313.581.1201.