Greg Abbott Supports Federal Fair Housing Investigation Into East Plano Islamic Center

February 16, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott on Friday voiced support for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launching a federal fair housing investigation into the East Plano Islamic Center, known as EPIC, over potential violations of the Fair Housing Act.

Abbott backed HUD Secretary Scott Turner’s decision to direct the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to examine a proposed development formerly known as “EPIC City,” now rebranded with a kinder and less threating name, “The Meadow.”

‘The Meadow,’ was marketed as an exclusively ‘Muslim community’ intended to serve as ‘the epicenter of Islam in America,’” Abbott said in a statement. He noted that in 2025 he directed the Texas Workforce Commission to investigate EPIC and affiliated entities for possible violations of the Texas Fair Housing Act. After a state investigation, commission staff filed a complaint that HUD has now accepted for federal review.

Abbott said the state will continue pursuing enforcement actions against EPIC and related organizations. According to the governor’s office, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has forced EPIC affiliates to acknowledge they lack authority to begin construction, while the Texas State Securities Board referred findings to the Attorney General for possible securities violations. The Texas Funeral Service Commission has issued a cease-and-desist order, and the Texas Rangers are investigating potential criminal activity.

“The Meadow will remain just that—an empty field,” Abbott said.