Housing discrimination is very serious and exposes Landlords and Real Estate Brokers to major lawsuits for big money damages. Attorney Andrew Lieb, Esq. explains to real estate investors and brokers how to minimize exposure and not discriminate to potential tenants. Learn what to say and what not to say when dealing with prospective tenants to avoid getting sued.
Showing posts with label Fair Housing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fair Housing. Show all posts
Friday, January 17, 2020
Monday, December 30, 2019
On 11/17/19 Newsday published "Long Island Divided" a report of the state of housing discrimination on Long Island.
Private discrimination lawsuits are about to flood the courts and suits can result in 6 to 7 figure awards. A discrimination plaintiff bringing a court proceeding will seek actual damages (direct for loss of housing and consequential of emotional distress for loss of dignity), punitive damages, statutory penalties, attorneys' fees and costs.
Read the full article by Andrew Lieb, Esq. published in The Suffolk Lawyer here.
Private discrimination lawsuits are about to flood the courts and suits can result in 6 to 7 figure awards. A discrimination plaintiff bringing a court proceeding will seek actual damages (direct for loss of housing and consequential of emotional distress for loss of dignity), punitive damages, statutory penalties, attorneys' fees and costs.
Read the full article by Andrew Lieb, Esq. published in The Suffolk Lawyer here.
Monday, December 16, 2019
On
December 16, 2019, Governor Cuomo announced new regulations to help fight
housing discrimination. Pursuant to Gov. Cuomo’s announcement and the DOS Board of Real Estate meeting (from 35:15 to 1:10:40) from the same day,
the regulations require the following:
- Notification of Fair Housing laws: All prospective buyers, renters, sellers, and landlords receive the disclosure on fair housing and New York State Human Rights Law as furnished by the Department of State (similar to agency disclosure form, but with broader application). It must also be available at every open house or real estate showing conducted by a real estate professional. This will be known as 19 NYCRR 175.28.
- Posting of Fair Housing laws: Real estate brokers must also display and maintain at every office a notice highlighting the Human Rights Law’s protections and how complaints may be filed. It must be visible from the sidewalk or another conspicuous place and must also be displayed on all websites created and maintained by real estate brokers, salespersons and teams. The notice must also be posted at every open house conducted by a real estate professional. This will be known as 19 NYCRR 175.29.
- Video recording and record preservation: All entities approved to provide fair housing and/or discrimination training must record video and audio of every course in its entirety and must keep the recording for 1 year following the date the course was provided. This will be known as 19 NYCRR 177.9.
Saturday, December 07, 2019
Licensees just received this notice on Fair Housing. Remember - discriminating in real estate can result in fines, license revocation, and huge judgment awards in lawsuits.
Lieb School is committed to ending discrimination in housing by educating licensees about behaviors that constitute inadvertent discrimination. Lieb School - Where the Law is Followed.
Dear Licensee:
Please see attached Fair Housing Guidance Document. This email is a reminder notification of your obligation as a Real Estate Licensee to adhere to the laws prohibiting discriminatory practices.
If you have any questions pertaining to this topic, please contact us at eAccessNY@dos.ny.gov.
Division of Licensing Services
NYS Department of State
Lieb School is committed to ending discrimination in housing by educating licensees about behaviors that constitute inadvertent discrimination. Lieb School - Where the Law is Followed.
Dear Licensee:
Please see attached Fair Housing Guidance Document. This email is a reminder notification of your obligation as a Real Estate Licensee to adhere to the laws prohibiting discriminatory practices.
If you have any questions pertaining to this topic, please contact us at eAccessNY@dos.ny.gov.
Division of Licensing Services
NYS Department of State
Friday, November 22, 2019
Elected officials have assured the public that they will be enforcing discrimination laws.
Beyond governmental enforcement, private discrimination lawsuits are about to flood the courts.
Did you know that the statute, Real Property Law §441(3)(c), requires that fair housing courses be taught by attorneys only? The statute states: It shall be taught by a qualified faculty with attorneys presenting legal subjects.
It's time to learn with Lieb. ALL of Lieb School's continuing education courses are in full compliance with applicable laws. Lieb School courses are developed and instructed by Attorney Andrew Lieb. Mr. Lieb has dedicated his legal practice to helping the real estate brokerage community comply with license law and prevent discrimination.
Your real estate license is your livelihood. Make sure you know how to do your job without discrimination. Lieb School is your source to avoid being named in the next Newsday article .
Lieb School is now offering 20% off Online Video Courses. Use coupon code "LIEBFH19" at checkout. All packages include Fair Housing.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Did you know that the statute, Real Property Law §441(3)(c), requires that fair housing courses be taught by attorneys only?
The statute states: It shall be taught by a qualified faculty with attorneys presenting legal subjects.
We are just wondering how Newsday's Long Island Divided reported on real estate licensees deficiencies in teaching fair housing when they aren't legally allowed to teach these courses in the first place.
Please let us know.
Liebschool.com - where the law is followed
The statute states: It shall be taught by a qualified faculty with attorneys presenting legal subjects.
We are just wondering how Newsday's Long Island Divided reported on real estate licensees deficiencies in teaching fair housing when they aren't legally allowed to teach these courses in the first place.
Please let us know.
Liebschool.com - where the law is followed
Friday, March 10, 2017
Monday, October 03, 2016
New York Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers are regulated by the Department of State, New York (DOS) and are required to complete 22.5 Continuing Education credits within a 2 year license renewal period. License renewal dates can be found on the New York State Real Estate License (look for license expiration date).
As of 01/01/2017, Licensed NY Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers must take the following Continuing Education courses in their renewal cycle:
In addition to the New York State Continuing Education requirements, member's of the National Association of REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time within four-year cycles. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. The current cycle will end Dec. 31, 2016.
Lieb School offers a license renewal package that satisfies ALL of the requirements above.
As of 01/01/2017, Licensed NY Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers must take the following Continuing Education courses in their renewal cycle:
- 3 Hours of instruction pertaining to Fair Housing and/or Discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest of real property
- 2 Hours of Agency Disclosure for the initial two-year licensing term and at least 1 hour of Agency Disclosure in subsequent renewal cycles.
If you are grandfathered in, the new continuing education requirements do not apply.
- Draw your attention to this paragraph "The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any licensed real estate broker who is engaged full time in the real estate business and who has been licensed under this article prior to July first, two thousand eight for at least fifteen consecutive years immediately preceding such renewal."
Lieb School offers a license renewal package that satisfies ALL of the requirements above.
Or you can purchase individual courses here:
Friday, September 23, 2016
NY Real Estate Continuing Education 22.5 Credit
License Renewal Course Package
(click for online classes preview - turn sound on)
Anywhere and anytime you can finish all 22.5 hours of real estate continuing education as long as you have internet access. Lieb School’s online license renewal package includes video, audio and interactivity to get the job done without making you want to gouge your eyeballs out. Satisfies Department of State, New York Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements for License Renewal.
Courses include:
- Deal Killers (3 CE Credits)
- Conflicts of Interest (3 CE Credits)
- Agency Disclosure (8 CE Credits)
- Divorce Deals (4.5 CE Credits)
- Fair Housing Act (4 CE Credits)
After trying Lieb School’s ONLINE classes, you will never want online education from any other provider. Lieb School’s leading distance education combines the latest interactive technology, license law education and continuing edutainment.
Each course includes a video from a live classroom setting that was instructed by premiere lecturer Andrew Lieb, Esq. Content is thereafter broken down in order to simplify the learning experience so that students can absorb our field’s complex materials without being overwhelmed.
*Prices Subject to change
** Must complete the courses 6 months from the date you registered
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Friday, June 03, 2016
Andrew Lieb, Esq. takes a look at the most recent Fair Housing Initiatives.
Click here to read the full article published in The Suffolk Lawyer.
Click here to read the full article published in The Suffolk Lawyer.
Monday, April 04, 2016
Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that disparate impact
discrimination claims are cognizable under the Fair Housing Act. For a refresher, read my blog post about the decision here. In sum, landlords may be
liable for discrimination if the effect of a facially neutral housing action
has a disproportionate impact on a protected class.
Today, the office of general counsel to the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development issued a memorandum offering guidance
regarding the potential discriminatory effects of taking an adverse housing
action against a tenant based upon their criminal history. A link to the memorandum can be found here. The logline for this memorandum is that HUD believes taking
an adverse housing action based upon criminal history may constitute
discrimination on the basis of race or national origin because of its disparate
impact on those protected classes.
The memorandum examines the three-step burden-shifting test
a court would analyze in a claim brought by a tenant who alleges they were
discriminated based upon their criminal history. The stated purpose of the
memorandum is facially neutral, addressing “how the discriminatory effects and
disparate treatment methods of proof apply in Fair Housing Act cases in which a
housing provider justifies an adverse housing action… based on an individual’s
criminal history.” The practical effect of the memorandum, however, is that HUD
has armed plaintiff’s attorneys with a new theory of liability that all
landlord’s should understand.
The three-step burden-shifting test requires that a
plaintiff first prove that the complained of practice has a discriminatory
effect. If the plaintiff is successful, the defendant must then prove that the
challenged practice has a legally sufficient justification. Finally, if the
defendant proves a legally sufficient justification, a plaintiff must then
prove that there is a less discriminatory alternative available. The HUD
memorandum examines each question and attempts to offer guidance in turn.
Discriminatory Effect
HUD submits that national statistics stand for the
conclusion that “[n]ationally, racial and ethnic minorities face
disproportionately high rates of arrest and incarceration. Without drawing its
own conclusion, HUD posits that these statistics, along with other evidence,
could provide sufficient proof for the legal position that taking an adverse housing
action, such as refusing to enter or renew a lease based upon criminal history,
has a disparate impact on African Americans or Hispanics.
Legally Sufficient Justification
If a plaintiff is successful in proving that an adverse
housing action on the basis of criminal history has a discriminatory effect on
racial or ethnic minorities, a defendant would then be compelled to provide a
legally sufficient justification for the action. In analyzing this factor, HUD
acknowledges that “resident safety and protecting property are often considered
to be among the fundamental responsibilities of a housing provider”. However,
HUD does push back by requiring that a defendant submit evidence supporting the
conclusion that a policy of discriminating on the basis of criminal history
furthers the stated purpose of protecting residents and property. That is, a
landlord cannot blindly rely upon this justification in every situation. HUD
suggests that landlords consider each potential tenant on a case by case basis
instead of having a blanket policy of refusing to lease to anyone with a
criminal history
For example, HUD submits that the existence of a prior
arrest, which does not carry a subsequent conviction, “has very little, if any,
probative value in showing that he has engaged in any misconduct. An arrest
shows nothing more than that someone probably suspected the person apprehended
of an offense.” HUD concludes that “because arrest records do not constitute proof
of past unlawful conduct… the fact of an arrest is not a reliable basis upon
which to assess the potential risk to resident safety or property posed by a
particular individual.”
Moving further, HUD submits that even a criminal conviction
does not automatically create a legally sufficient justification. “A housing provider
that imposes a blanket prohibition on any person with any conviction record –
no matter when the conviction occurred, what the underlying conduct entailed,
or what the convicted person has done since then – will be unable to meet this
burden [of proving a legally sufficient justification].” HUD suggests that a “housing provider
must show that its policy accurately distinguishes between criminal conduct
that indicates a demonstrable risk to resident safety and/or property and
criminal conduct that does not.”
Less Discriminatory Alternative
If a landlord proves a legally sufficient justification for
the challenged policy or act, the plaintiff may still prevail by proving that a
less discriminatory alternative exists. Here, HUD offers no substantiated
guidance but submits that the analysis must be performed on a case by case
basis. The only suggestion proffered by HUD is that a landlord may consider
delaying a criminal history investigation until after a tenant has already qualified
financially.
Conclusion
In the end, HUD has taken an aggressive position that all
landlords must remain cognizant of when making housing decisions. When forming
a policy of utilizing criminal background checks, a landlord should ensure that
their policy is “tailored to serve the housing provider’s substantial,
legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest and take[s] into consideration such
factors as the type of the crime and the length of the time since conviction.” A
landlord who has no evidence that its policy or action is grounded in
nondiscriminatory justification will be vulnerable to complaints.
At
the very least, HUD has made it clear that blanket prohibitions on any person
with a criminal history will face legal challenges based upon the Supreme Court’s
upholding of the disparate impact theory of discrimination.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
We know that you will never want education from anywhere else after you try it!
FINALLY A FAIR HOUSING CLASS THAT IS ENTERTAINING!!!
4 CE Credits
Satisfies DOS Licensing Requirement
Instructed by Andrew Lieb, Esq.
* Works on PCs, MACs, IPADs, Tablets
Summary: Be warned - Discrimination in housing is very serious and exposes real estate agents to immense liability and the potential loss of their license. In fact, discrimination is so serious that the Department of State only requires this topic to be included in the requisite 22.5 hours of continuing education, but requires no other topic. This course is not a general survey course on discrimination, instead it explains a very specific law: The Fair Housing Act, which sets the nationwide standard for anti-discrimination laws in residential housing. The seminar will detail specific cases involving real estate agents who violated the Act. Be prepared for this course to hit home.
The Fair Housing Act ONLINE is an adaptation of the live class The Fair Housing Act offered by Lieb School. This 4 hour distance education course is designed to teach New York real estate brokers and salespersons how to perform their job without exposure to lawsuits.
This course is instructed by premiere lecturer and attorney Andrew M. Lieb, Esq., MPH, who combines video footage of live class segments with visuals, study guides, and quizzes in order to optimize your understanding of the intense materials. It is delivered in an asynchronous model to allow for accessibility whenever and wherever you find convenient while also offering note-taking and in-class comment features to provide opportunities for feedback, questions, and discussions.
Unlike the 3-credit live class, this course accounts for 4 credits of the total 2-year requirement of 22.5 credits for license renewal, thereby allowing you to satisfy more credits with just one class.
*** THIS COURSE SATISFIES THE ONLY MANDATORY CLASS REQUIREMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF NY (DOS) FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PERTAINING TO FAIR HOUSING AND / OR DISCRIMINATION ***
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Mortgage Mania
Instructor: Andrew Lieb, Esq., MPH
Credits: 3.0 CE Hours
Price: Free
Location: Newsday Training Center (Melville)
It’s time to learn the secrets in order to qualify for a mortgage. This seminar will begin with the basics, discussing everything from the definition of a mortgage to types of mortgages. You will learn who the players are at the bank and how their respective roles impact your deal. We will discuss the differences between a prequalification and a commitment and how to close your deal smoothly under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. You will learn secrets that occur behind the scenes at the banks and how to navigate through issues with income, assets, credit scores, CO's, and open permits. This course will enable you to weed-out high-risk clients and to advise average credit score clients on structuring their applications to get approved. Let’s prevent mortgage contingency clauses from killing our deals.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
The U.S. supreme court ruled that victims of discrimination under the Fair Housing Act can sue based upon a legal theory called disparate impact discrimination, which addresses conduct that appears neutral on its face, but which nonetheless has a discriminatory effect.
Read the full article in New York Real Estate Journal, written by Andrew Lieb, Esq., and Dennis Valet, Esq. here.
Read the full article in New York Real Estate Journal, written by Andrew Lieb, Esq., and Dennis Valet, Esq. here.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Today, in the case Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., the United States Supreme Court held 5-4 (Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor & Kagan for the majority) that disparate-impact is a cognizable cause of action under the the Fair Housing Act (FHA). In short, a plaintiff can now point to statistical evidence of discrimination in lieu of the more difficult standard of proving that the defendant had actual discriminatory intent.
In the legal world, whether under the FHA, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, there are two types of discrimination: disparate-treatment, and disparate-impact. Disparate-treatment typically is discriminatory on its face. For instance, when a landlord refuses to rent to women. The landlord has discriminated against a protected class and is liable under the FHA. Disparate-impact is neutral on its face, but results in statistical discrimination of a protected class. For instance, when a landlord refuses to rent to people with long hair. The landlord's policy does not on its face discriminate against a protected class, but the effect is disproportionate discrimination against women. Under the theory of disparate-impact discrimination, the landlord is discriminating against a protected class, even though that may not be his intention, and is liable under the FHA.
In the Texas Department of Housing and Communities Affairs case, the plaintiff alleged that the criteria set by the Texas Department of Housing and Communities Affairs for the distribution of tax credits intended to assist development of low income housing resulted in discrimination on the basis of race. The criteria, which was racially neutral on its face because it considered economic factors almost exclusively, had the statistical result of higher approval rates for communities with higher proportions of African-Americans. The plaintiff alleged that the criteria resulted in the Texas Department of Housing and Communities Affairs discriminating against Caucasians under the theory of disparate-impact.
The Supreme Court, recognizing the broad expansion of liability under the disparate-impact theory, carefully established the burden a plaintiff must meet to make a prima facie showing of discrimination. That is, statistical discrimination of a protect class alone will not result in liability. First, the plaintiff must show that the action or policy results in statistical discrimination against a protected class. Second, the plaintiff must show that there is a specific policy held or perpetrated by the defendant that is causing the disparate-impact discrimination. Third, the plaintiff must show that there is an alternative practice or policy that has less disparate impact while still serving the defendant's legitimate needs.
The consequences of this ruling will be far reaching as plaintiffs attempt to link facially neutral policies to disparate-impact discrimination against protected classes. In New York, for instance, disparate-impact greatly expands the potential liability for discrimination against the numerous protected classes in our State. While the FHA has seven (7) protected classes (Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Familial Status, and Handicap), New York State has eleven (11) protected classes (Race, Creed, Color, National Origin, Sexual Orientation, Military Status, Sex, Age, Disability, Marital Status, and Familial Status) and New York City has fourteen (14) protected classes (Race, Creed, Color, National Origin, Gender, Age, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Partnership Status, Alienage Status, Citizenship Status, Lawful Source of Income, and Children are, may be, or would be residing with such person). While New York City and New York State already recognized disparate-impact as a cognizable cause of action in certain circumstances prior to this most recent Supreme Court ruling, the recognition of disparate-impact under the FHA will likely cause expansion of disparate-impact theories in jurisdictions and statutes which do not specifically recognize disparate-impact as a cognizable cause of action.
The law of the land is clear - disparate-impact is just as damaging as disparate-treatment and violators cannot hide behind facially neutral policies.
In the legal world, whether under the FHA, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, there are two types of discrimination: disparate-treatment, and disparate-impact. Disparate-treatment typically is discriminatory on its face. For instance, when a landlord refuses to rent to women. The landlord has discriminated against a protected class and is liable under the FHA. Disparate-impact is neutral on its face, but results in statistical discrimination of a protected class. For instance, when a landlord refuses to rent to people with long hair. The landlord's policy does not on its face discriminate against a protected class, but the effect is disproportionate discrimination against women. Under the theory of disparate-impact discrimination, the landlord is discriminating against a protected class, even though that may not be his intention, and is liable under the FHA.
In the Texas Department of Housing and Communities Affairs case, the plaintiff alleged that the criteria set by the Texas Department of Housing and Communities Affairs for the distribution of tax credits intended to assist development of low income housing resulted in discrimination on the basis of race. The criteria, which was racially neutral on its face because it considered economic factors almost exclusively, had the statistical result of higher approval rates for communities with higher proportions of African-Americans. The plaintiff alleged that the criteria resulted in the Texas Department of Housing and Communities Affairs discriminating against Caucasians under the theory of disparate-impact.
The Supreme Court, recognizing the broad expansion of liability under the disparate-impact theory, carefully established the burden a plaintiff must meet to make a prima facie showing of discrimination. That is, statistical discrimination of a protect class alone will not result in liability. First, the plaintiff must show that the action or policy results in statistical discrimination against a protected class. Second, the plaintiff must show that there is a specific policy held or perpetrated by the defendant that is causing the disparate-impact discrimination. Third, the plaintiff must show that there is an alternative practice or policy that has less disparate impact while still serving the defendant's legitimate needs.
The consequences of this ruling will be far reaching as plaintiffs attempt to link facially neutral policies to disparate-impact discrimination against protected classes. In New York, for instance, disparate-impact greatly expands the potential liability for discrimination against the numerous protected classes in our State. While the FHA has seven (7) protected classes (Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Familial Status, and Handicap), New York State has eleven (11) protected classes (Race, Creed, Color, National Origin, Sexual Orientation, Military Status, Sex, Age, Disability, Marital Status, and Familial Status) and New York City has fourteen (14) protected classes (Race, Creed, Color, National Origin, Gender, Age, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Partnership Status, Alienage Status, Citizenship Status, Lawful Source of Income, and Children are, may be, or would be residing with such person). While New York City and New York State already recognized disparate-impact as a cognizable cause of action in certain circumstances prior to this most recent Supreme Court ruling, the recognition of disparate-impact under the FHA will likely cause expansion of disparate-impact theories in jurisdictions and statutes which do not specifically recognize disparate-impact as a cognizable cause of action.
The law of the land is clear - disparate-impact is just as damaging as disparate-treatment and violators cannot hide behind facially neutral policies.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Property Manager Liability: Requirements, Responsibilities and Fair Housing
Instructor: Andrew Lieb, Esq., MPH
CE Credits: 3
Price: Free
Date: 02/06/2015 at 1:30pm in
CE Credits: 3
Price: Free
Date: 02/06/2015 at 1:30pm in
Maximize your client's investment while minimizing your exposure to great liability. Be cautious, property management is a serious business that has many liability landmines for the weary. Do not just dabble in property management. Do not just help out a landlord brokerage client in dealing with their tenants. Learn why the Department of State considers property management to be a licensed activity in this State. Understand how to mitigate exposure to license law liability, premises liability, and fair housing liability. Get real life examples of what can go wrong. Most importantly, learn what must go into your Property Management Agreement and why a top property manager should get paid.
*** THIS COURSE SATISFIES THE ONLY MANDATORY CLASS REQUIREMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE (DOS) FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PERTAINING TO FAIR HOUSING AND / OR DISCRIMINATION ***
Friday, April 18, 2014
Property Manager Liability:
Requirements, Responsibilities and Fair Housing
Maximize your client's investment while minimizing your exposure to great liability. Be cautious, property management is a serious business that has many liability landmines for the weary. Do not just dabble in property management. Do not just help out a landlord brokerage client in dealing with their tenants. Learn why the Department of State considers property management to be a licensed activity in this State. Understand how to mitigate exposure to license law liability, premises liability, and fair housing liability. Get real life examples of what can go wrong. Most importantly, learn what must go into your Property Management Agreement and why a top property manager should get paid.
Instructor: Andrew Lieb, Esq., MPH
Sponsor(s): DE Capital Mortgage, DE Title Services, Douglas Elliman
Credits: 3.0 CE Hours **Satisfies DOS Mandatory Fair Housing Requirement
Date: May 7th, 2014 in Southampton
Tuesday, April 01, 2014
Today is the beginning of Fair
Housing Month. The Fair
Housing Act was enacted on April 11, 1968, making it unlawful to discriminate
against any person based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
familial status, or handicap in the sale or rental of a dwelling. Although
brokers must comply with the Fair Housing Act every day, it is in the month of
April that the Fair
Housing Act should be commemorated. Print out the Fair
Housing Declaration and hand it out to your fellow agents. Reread the Fair Housing Act, and
do not forget to sign up and attend our Lieb
School class on the Fair Housing Act on
September 18, 2014 or December 10, 2014.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
HUD just issued its study of incidence and forms of discrimination experienced by black, Hispanic, and Asian renters and homebuyers.
The study finds that "minority homeseekers are told about and shown fewer homes and apartments than whites", as a result of more than 8,000 tests conducted in 28 metropolitan areas.
Clearly discrimination still exists in housing. However, the study takes pains to explain that differing circumstances of classes of people in housing does not equal discrimination. Instead, the discrimination is only present when it causes the resulting disability in housing.
Real estate agents should read the Executive Summary, understand discrimination and be mindful to weed out such practices as we always strive to bring professionalism to our field.
The study finds that "minority homeseekers are told about and shown fewer homes and apartments than whites", as a result of more than 8,000 tests conducted in 28 metropolitan areas.
Clearly discrimination still exists in housing. However, the study takes pains to explain that differing circumstances of classes of people in housing does not equal discrimination. Instead, the discrimination is only present when it causes the resulting disability in housing.
Real estate agents should read the Executive Summary, understand discrimination and be mindful to weed out such practices as we always strive to bring professionalism to our field.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
On April 3, 2013, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development kicked off Fair Housing Month with the launch of a national media campaign.
HUD's press release states: "The campaign, titled “Fair Housing Is Your Right. Use It,” includes English, Spanish, and Chinese radio and print public service advertisements (PSAs) that feature examples of actions which violate the Fair Housing Act and let the public know what to do if they experience housing discrimination."
To read the full press release, click here.
To see video from the campaign, click here.
To see the Public Service Announcements, click here.
While Fair Housing is nothing new, it will be on consumers mind this Fair Housing Month, so its important for brokerage managers to be more vigilant in reminding their agents to respect protected classes in housing. Also, remember that your local municipality: State, County, Town and Village may have additional Fair Housing statutes to protect citizens as the national Fair Housing Act is merely a floor of protected rights, not a ceiling. Also, agents in NYC should pay careful attention because the NYC Human Rights Law is the most protective of its kind in the nation.
HUD's press release states: "The campaign, titled “Fair Housing Is Your Right. Use It,” includes English, Spanish, and Chinese radio and print public service advertisements (PSAs) that feature examples of actions which violate the Fair Housing Act and let the public know what to do if they experience housing discrimination."
To read the full press release, click here.
To see video from the campaign, click here.
To see the Public Service Announcements, click here.
While Fair Housing is nothing new, it will be on consumers mind this Fair Housing Month, so its important for brokerage managers to be more vigilant in reminding their agents to respect protected classes in housing. Also, remember that your local municipality: State, County, Town and Village may have additional Fair Housing statutes to protect citizens as the national Fair Housing Act is merely a floor of protected rights, not a ceiling. Also, agents in NYC should pay careful attention because the NYC Human Rights Law is the most protective of its kind in the nation.