September 19, 2025

Plano Settles Fair Housing Complaint Over EPIC City Project

News Summary

The Texas Workforce Commission has settled a fair housing complaint against Community Capital Partners regarding the EPIC City project in Plano, Texas. The developers will undergo fair housing training and must revise their marketing materials to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws. The ambitious EPIC City development aims to create a Muslim-centric community with various amenities. Public sentiment remains mixed, with ongoing investigations into the project, and concerns about religious freedom being voiced by local representatives.

Texas – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has reached a settlement in a Fair Housing Act complaint involving Community Capital Partners, the developers of EPIC City, a planned Muslim-centric community located northeast of Dallas. This settlement, finalized on Tuesday, resolves the TWC’s investigation into the project, although the developers admit no wrongdoing.

As part of the settlement agreement, Community Capital Partners will undergo a mandatory fair housing training program. The development firm must also revise its marketing and sales materials to eliminate discriminatory language and ensure compliance with fair housing standards. Additionally, the company is required to create and implement fair housing policies that will be subject to review and approval by the TWC.

The terms of the settlement stipulate that Community Capital Partners cease any use of applicant assessment criteria that do not adhere to objective and uniformly applied standards directly related to business necessity. Furthermore, the agreement prohibits any assessment criteria that could lead to discrimination based on religion or national origin. Over the next five years, the firm must regularly submit various documents and reports to the TWC to demonstrate ongoing compliance.

EPIC City is planned to cover an expansive 402 acres across Collin and Hunt counties and aims to feature more than 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, a mosque, residential apartments, clinics, retail shops, a community college, and sports fields. The project is designed to serve the local Muslim community, sparking discussions around its implications for inclusivity and transparency.

Imran Chaudhary, the president of Community Capital Partners, expressed optimism regarding the TWC’s decision to conclude their review, indicating the developers’ willingness to cooperate with TWC guidance in fortifying the community framework.

The TWC is tasked with enforcing the Fair Housing Act within Texas. Governor Greg Abbott had previously instigated the investigation into the East Plano Islamic Center and its associated entities, due to concerns that some groups might be denied housing on the basis of religion or other protected characteristics, potentially breaching state fair housing laws.

Community Capital Partners has reiterated its commitment to uphold the Fair Housing Act alongside applicable state and federal laws, asserting that EPIC City will welcome individuals of all faiths. This settlement signifies the second investigation related to the EPIC City project that has been dismissed, with a U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation previously concluded in June.

In light of these developments, Governor Abbott has also enacted a new law aimed at regulating what he describes as “Sharia compounds,” which are associated with the EPIC City project, citing potential violations of religious freedom laws. An attorney representing the EPIC City developers has refuted Abbott’s allegations, stating that their practices are in alignment with both Texas and federal regulations.

A recent community meeting in Collin County highlighted a mixed response from local residents regarding the EPIC City proposal, with some voicing fears over its transparency and inclusiveness. Additionally, state entities, including the Texas Rangers, have opened multiple investigations to assess possible criminal activities related to the EPIC City initiative. State Attorney General Ken Paxton is also probing Community Capital Partners for potential consumer protection violations tied to the development.

Texas State Representative Salman Bhojani has come out in support of the EPIC City project, emphasizing the legality of similar developments and the importance of protecting religious freedom in North Texas. Nonetheless, Community Capital Partners confirmed that they remain in the early planning stages for EPIC City and have yet to submit any formal plans to the county for review.

Concerns about the ongoing investigations linger, complicating the future of the project. Currently, no construction is taking place on the EPIC City development as compliance with Texas law continues to be scrutinized. Texas Republicans have raised alarms, suggesting that the development might impose Islamic law on residents, an assertion that project planners have called unfounded and prejudiced.

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