IN the end, the neighbors on ABC’s controvercial reality show, “Welcome to the Neighborhood” rolled out the welcome mat for a white, gay couple and their young, adopted black son, say industry sources.

The heavily promoted show was canceled this week – just days before it was slated to debut – after civil rights groups complained that the series’ violated federal fair housing laws.

On “Neighborhood,” seven diverse families compete to win a 3,300-square-foot home located on a cul-de-sac outside of Austin, Texas. To take the big prize, they try to woo the three families already living there through a series of interviews and competitions.

At the beginning, the residents already on the cul-de-sac say they are looking for a new family to be their neighbor who will fit in with the community’s mostly Christian and Republican values.

That the gay couple might have won is something of a surprise.

In an early episode to discuss the wannabe neighbors, a heated argument erupts between the cul-de-sac adults and kids, who ripped their parents for being close-minded about gay people, according to sources.

ABC officials have declined to say who won the grand prize, citing the possibility of airing “Neighborhood” sometime down the road.