Push for Fair Housing Education on November 14th

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have teamed up for a social media campaign to raise awareness of housing discrimination and highlight the importance of fair housing across the country.    NCRC will lead a #FairHousingMatters #WelcomeME Social Storm on November 14, all day across all platforms, to spark wider public interest in fair housing.    Here is a toolkit with sample graphics and social posts to help you post during the social storm.   The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of dwellings and other housing-related activities because of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, familial status, or disability. If you or someone you know has experienced housing discrimination, please contact @NCRC immediately for assistance. #fairhousingmatters #welcomeme https://www.ncrc.org/fh/

HUD Charges New York Landlord with Disability Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged Lakeview Avenue, LLC (“Lakeview”) in Rensselaer, New York, and its employees with violating the Fair Housing Act by refusing a tenant’s request for a disability-related reasonable accommodation to keep an assistance animal and subjecting the tenant to retaliation for requesting a reasonable accommodation. Read the Charge.

The Fair Housing Act legally outlaws discrimination and retaliation based on disability, including the failing to grant reasonable accommodations and interfering with tenants' rights protected by the Act.

HUD’s charge alleges that Lakeview refused a tenant’s request to allow her disabled child to have an assistance animal in her unit. Though they provided medical documentation documenting the child’s need for the animal, Lakeview still denied the reasonable accommodation and impose onerous and discriminatory conditions. After another request for a reasonable accommodation, the tenant received a notice to vacate her unit and had to move to another, more expensive, apartment within her daughter’s school district

A U. S. Administrative Law Judge will hear HUD’s charge unless any party to the charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If an administrative law judge finds, after a hearing, that discrimination has occurred, they may award damages to the individuals for their losses as a result of the discrimination, injunctive relief and other equitable relief to deter further discrimination, payment of attorney fees, and civil penalties. If the federal court hears the case, the judge may also award punitive damages to the Complainants.

People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 800-669-9777 (voice) or 800-927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing. Housing providers and others can learn more about their responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications to individuals with disabilities here. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the Department using the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

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Read the September 25, 2023 HUD release.

HUD CHARGES OWNER AND PROPERTY MANAGER OF MISSOURI AREA RENTAL PROPERTIES WITH DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged Second Bell Trust, owner of multiple single-family rental properties in the Springfield, Missouri area, and its agent and property manager, Jimmie Bell, with housing discrimination for allegedly subjecting a female tenant to sexual harassment, including requests for sexual favors in exchange for rent, unwanted touching, and discriminatory statements based on sex. Read the charge.

"Subjecting tenants to unwelcome sexual advances and sexual harassment is outrageous and a clear violation of the law," said Demetria L. McCain, HUD's Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Today's charge sends a clear message to all landlords that HUD is committed to taking action against landlords whose behavior violates the Fair Housing Act."

HUD's charge, issued on behalf of the tenant and her children and nephew, alleges the property manager made repeated unwelcome sexual comments to the tenant and pressured her to provide sexual favors when she fell behind on rent payments. The charge further alleges he grabbed the tenant’s intimate areas. After enduring several years of sexual harassment from him, the tenant moved out.

HUD's charge will be heard by a U.S. Administrative Law Judge unless any party to the charge wants to have the case heard in federal district court. If an administrative law judge finds after a hearing that discrimination has occurred, the judge may award damages to the complainant for harm caused by discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief, payment of attorney fees, and civil fines. If the matter is decided in federal court, that judge may also award punitive damages.

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Source: 

Read the September 1, 2023 HUD press release.

HUD Charges Landlord with Disability Discrimination

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged Ronit Mecham and Voyl “Tom” Mecham, the owner and property manager of a dwelling in Jamestown, New York, with violating the Fair Housing Act by refusing to allow a tenant with a disability to live with her assistance animal. Read the charge here.

The Fair Housing Act outlaws discrimination based on disability. Such discrimination includes refusing to provide reasonable accommodation so that persons with disabilities can enjoy their housing. A reasonable accommodation includes waiving a “no pet” policy for assistance animals, which was violated in this case. The Act also prohibits statements that indicate a preference or limitation based on disability.

“Assistance animals provide people with disabilities the support they need to enjoy the benefits of their housing,” said HUD’s Principal Assistant Deputy Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is committed to zealously enforcing the Act to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.”

HUD’s Charge alleges that Respondents denied the tenant’s request for an assistance animal and then required her to either terminate the lease early or leave when the lease term ended. Although the tenant offered to submit medical documentation supporting her request, the owner-managers stopped communicating with her instead. The charge also alleges that the owner-managers made comments indicating a preference for non-disabled tenants.

A U.S. Administrative Law Judge will hear HUD’s Charge unless either HUD or the accused owner-managers chooses to have the case heard in federal district court. If an administrative law judge finds, after a hearing, that discrimination has occurred, the judge may award damages to the individuals for their losses as a result of the discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief to deter further discrimination, payment of attorney fees, and civil penalties. If the federal court hears the case, that judge may also award punitive damages to the complainant.

People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) 800-927-9275 (TTY) or the U.S. Department of Justice at (800) 896-7743 or 202-514-4713. More info is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing and www.justice.gov. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact HUD using the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

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Sources: 

HUD press release email, September 18, 2023.

Read the September 18, 2023 HUD press release.

HUD to honor 50th Anniversary of Rehabilitation Act

 

50th Anniversary Event to be held September 12th     On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will host a hybrid event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a landmark law providing civil rights to persons with disabilities in all federal programs and activities.  What is the Act   The Rehabilitation Act is a core component of FHEO’s mission to ensure affordable, accessible, and integrated housing for persons with disabilities nationwide, and the promise of housing choice for all. Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance, and set the stage for enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Section 504 works together with the ADA and IDEA to protect children and adults with disabilities from exclusion, and unequal treatment in schools, jobs and the community. The law also established the Access Board (section 502).  Later amendments strengthened requirements for access to electronic and information technology in the Federal sector (Section 508).  With passage the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, a new provision (section 510) was added to address access to medical diagnostic equipment.  The Access Board plays a lead role in developing and maintaining standards for electronic and information technology under section 508 and medical diagnostic equipment covered by section 510. Section 502 Section 508 Section 510 The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) - a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities - provides these materials and others regarding the Act: Sample Section 504 Plan and Health Care Plan for a Student with Diabetes A Comparison of ADA, IDEA, and Section 504 A sit-in and demonstrations in San Francisco and Washington DC, in 1977, changed the course of civil rights history, and resulted in the signing of the 1977 Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. About the Event During the HUD event, panelists will examine the history of the disability rights movement, successes, emerging issues, and the continued need for vigorous enforcement of fair housing and civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities and ensuring equal opportunity. The event will feature a discussion of disability rights in federally funded programs with Disability Rights Attorney, John Wodatch, Chief Program and Policy Officer, Regina Blye, & HUD Associate General Counsel, Jeanine Worden, discuss disability rights in federally funded programs, along with a interesting video underscoring the importance of housing choice for all. Learn more about the event here. John Wodatch, Disability Rights Attorney Regina Blye, Chief Program and Policy Officer, The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Sean Barrett, Program Analyst, Compliance and Disability Rights Division, HUD FHEO Jeanine Worden, HUD Associate General Counsel for Fair Housing   You can register to watch the event virtually by clicking the link or scanning the QR code below: http://bit.ly/3QO67sh.

You can follow Secretary Fudge on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also connect with HUD on social media or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.

 

HUD COVID-19 Resources and Fact Sheets

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Sources: 

HUD Fair Housing News, August 31, 2023.

https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/rehabilitation-act-1973.

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fheo_commemorates_50th_anniversary_rehabilitation_act.

https://www.access-board.gov/law/ra.html

https://dredf.org/legal-advocacy/laws/section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973/

 Free Celebration Event for the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

HUD Celebration of 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 & Disability Civil Rights     On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is hosting a hybrid event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a landmark law providing civil rights to persons with disabilities in all federal programs and activities.    The Rehabilitation Act is a core component of FHEO’s mission to ensure affordable, accessible, and integrated housing for persons with disabilities nationwide, and the promise of housing choice for all. The commemoration will examine the history of the disability rights movement, successes, emerging issues, and the continued need for vigorous enforcement of fair housing and civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities and ensuring equal opportunity. The event will feature a discussion of disability rights in federally funded programs with Disability Rights Attorney, John Wodatch, Chief Program and Policy Officer, Regina Blye, & HUD Associate General Counsel, Jeanine Worden, discuss disability rights in federally funded programs, along with a powerful video underscoring the importance of housing choice for all. Learn more about the event here.   You can register to watch the event virtually by clicking the link or scanning the QR code below: http://bit.ly/3QO67sh.

You can follow Secretary Fudge on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also connect with HUD on social media or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.

Source: HUD Fair Housing News, August 23, 2023.

 Fair Housing Enforcement News:

HUD CHARGES CALIFORNIA LANDLORD WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT & DISCRIMINATION

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged the owner, property manager, and maintenance worker of a single-family property in Bakersfield, California, with sexually harassing a female tenant and retaliating against her when she complained about it, in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Read HUD’s Charge. The Act prohibits housing providers from discriminating because of sex, including sexual harassment - unwelcome sexual advances and comments, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical behavior that is sexual in nature.

HUD’s Charge of Discrimination alleges that the maintenance worker harassed the tenant because of her sex, including daily sending her graphic sexual text messages and groping her in her home. After the tenant told him that the conduct was unwelcome and complained to the property manager, saying she planned to go to the police, the landlord allegedly refused to make critical repairs to her heating appliance, leaving her without heat and gas for a month. The tenant's daughter fell ill from the lack of heat. As the tenant was vacating her home, the landlord changed the lock on her door to prevent her from getting her belongings and refused to return her security deposit.

A U. S. Administrative Law Judge will hear HUD’s charge unless any party elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If an administrative law judge finds, after a hearing, that discrimination has occurred, the judge may award damages to the tenant for losses as a result of the discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief, to deter further discrimination, as well as payment of attorney fees. The judge also may impose civil penalties. If the federal court hears the case, the judge may also award punitive damages.

People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) 800-927-9275 (TTY) or the Department of Justice at (800) 896-7743 or 202-514-4713. Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing and www.justice.gov.

Read the July 11, 2023 HUD release.

 Calendar: 

Upcoming Fair Housing Events 

 

Fast Track To HUD Housing Counsellor Certification

June 26 – June 30, 9 pm - 6 pm ET

Preparing for the HUD Housing Counseling Exam can be daunting when tackling it on your own. Research shows that working together in a collaborative environment allows individuals to learn the material better than when working alone. Join other housing counselors in this virtual experience where peer discussion, exploration of the six core topics on the exam, and interactive activities will stimulate all learning styles. [Register here]

 

Remaking the Economy: Tenant Organizing In Unexpected Places

July 12, 2 pm - 3:30 pm ET

Spurred in part by COVID and by a growing housing affordability crisis, tenant organizing is picking up in not just expected places like New York, but in mid-sized cities like Austin and Baltimore, and even smaller cities like Louisville, Kentucky, and Portland, Maine. In this 90-minute webinar, cosponsored and co-moderated by NPQ and Shelterforce, tenant activists will share their stories, both in direct organizing and policy advocacy. [Register here]

 Recent Fair Housing News: 

HUD Announces $837.5 Million from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to Improve Housing Quality and Reduce Energy Costs for Underserved Communities

The May 11, 2023 NOFA provides new funding from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and $4 billion in loan commitment authority will make HUD-assisted multifamily housing more energy efficient, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve climate resiliency. The availability of new funding through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the energy and water efficiency and climate resilience of HUD-assisted multifamily properties serving low-income residents. 

The Act provided HUD with $837.5 million in grant and loan subsidy funding, $4 billion in loan commitment authority for this new program, and $42.5 million for a new HUD initiative launching later this summer to collect and assess energy and water usage data from HUD-assisted multifamily housing properties to better target opportunities to save energy and water, cut costs, and reduce emissions. Building owners will be able to invest in technologies, such as solar panels, heat pumps, wind-resistant roofing, insulation, low embodied carbon materials, and other measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make properties healthier and safer for residents. 

Read the May 11, 2023 HUD release.