Maryland Civil Rights Commission Secures Landmark Fair Housing Settlement Involving Insurance Industry

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) announced a landmark fair housing settlement in April 2026, marking what officials describe as a significant step forward in addressing housing discrimination and expanding accountability within the insurance industry.

The case, described as a matter of first impression before Maryland courts, centered on allegations that both housing providers in Dorchester County and their insurance company contributed to denying a resident equal access to housing.

According to MCCR, the complainant, identified as Ms. T. Gibson, is a Maryland resident living with a disability who sought a reasonable accommodation to live with her assistance animals. After securing housing, paying her rent and deposit, and following all required procedures, Gibson was denied entry to the home on the day she was scheduled to move in. The denial was based on the breed of her assistance animals.

The housing providers, identified as Mr. and Mrs. Swann, cited restrictions within their insurance policy with Windsor-Mount Joy Mutual Insurance Company, claiming their coverage would be canceled if they permitted the animals. MCCR stated that the providers did not engage in the legally required interactive process and instead denied Gibson access, leaving her without housing for nearly a year.

While experiencing homelessness, Gibson filed a complaint with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which was referred to MCCR in June 2020. Following an extensive investigation and unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter between 2020 and 2023, MCCR issued a finding of probable cause on August 23, 2023, concluding that both the housing providers and the insurance company violated the Maryland Fair Housing Act.

After continued conciliation efforts failed, the respondents elected in January 2025 to move the case to the Circuit Court for Dorchester County. MCCR’s Office of General Counsel subsequently filed suit against both the housing providers and the insurance company.

The Swanns reached a settlement after the case was filed. Windsor-Mount Joy Mutual Insurance Company initially sought dismissal of the case, but the court denied the motion. MCCR argued that insurance policies that effectively prevent access to housing are discriminatory in impact and therefore unlawful. The court agreed, affirming that insurers can be held accountable when their policies result in housing discrimination.

According to MCCR, the court’s decision played a key role in prompting a settlement with the insurance company.

The case concluded with a $45,000 settlement and requires both the housing providers and the insurance company’s employees to undergo fair housing training.

MCCR officials emphasized that the ruling reinforces a broader interpretation of what constitutes a housing provider, extending accountability to any entity whose policies or practices limit access to housing.

“This case makes one thing unmistakably clear,” said Executive Director Cleveland L. Horton II. “You cannot outsource discrimination to an insurance policy and expect to escape accountability. When systems, policies, or practices deny someone equal access to housing, we will challenge them, forcefully and without hesitation. Fair housing is not a suggestion, it is the law, and at its core, it is about human dignity. At MCCR, we will continue to stand on that principle and fight to ensure that no Marylander is pushed out, locked out, or left behind.”