The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Airbnb on Friday, accusing the short-term rental platform of violating the Fair Housing Act. The complaint stems from allegations that an Airbnb host in Alabama refused to rent a property to a mother due to her three school-aged children.

Allegations of Discrimination Against Families with Children

According to the DOJ’s complaint, Charisse Ylitalo and her husband, Christopher, sold their home near Huntsville, Alabama, in 2020 as part of a planned move to Hawaii. While Christopher started a new job and searched for housing in Hawaii, Charisse and their three children, ages 14, 11, and 9, sought temporary accommodations in Alabama.

Charisse inquired about renting an apartment through Airbnb from Jarrod Blake for a three-month period starting in August 2020. The complaint alleges that Blake denied her request, stating, "This apartment is not suitable for kids." Despite Ylitalo’s objection that such discrimination was illegal, Blake reportedly did not respond further.

After being refused, Ylitalo contacted Airbnb's customer service, alleging discrimination based on familial status. Airbnb, however, upheld the host’s decision, citing its policy that allows listings to exclude children under certain conditions, such as safety risks or property concerns.

A Pattern of Alleged Discrimination

The Ylitalo family eventually secured alternative housing about an hour from Huntsville. However, they claim this separation from their community caused significant inconvenience, emotional distress, and financial losses. Additionally, Christopher Ylitalo abandoned his job opportunity in Hawaii to return to Alabama, further compounding the family’s hardships.

In a separate incident in October 2020, Charisse attempted to book another property in Huntsville, unaware that it was also managed by Blake. Despite no mention of children in her booking request, Blake allegedly reiterated his policy excluding children.

HUD Investigation and DOJ Lawsuit

The DOJ’s lawsuit follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which began in August 2020 after Charisse filed an administrative complaint. HUD amended the complaint several times and issued a charge of discrimination on Sept. 27, 2023. Blake then opted to have the claims resolved through a civil action.

The government’s lawsuit alleges Airbnb and Blake violated the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against the Ylitalo family based on familial status. The DOJ is seeking injunctive relief, damages, and other remedies to prevent further violations.

Government Representation and Next Steps

The case is being handled by attorneys from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. As of Friday, representatives for Airbnb and the DOJ had not responded to requests for comment, and Blake could not be reached.

The lawsuit highlights growing concerns about discrimination on online rental platforms. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how such platforms address alleged violations of federal housing laws.