FAIR HOUSING NEWS

HUD Press Release - HUD CHARGES TEXAS LANDLORDS WITH RACE DISCRIMINATION

Wed, Jul 10, 4:56 PM

Dear Colleague,

WASHINGTON- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is charging Roderick Apartments, LLC in Clinton, Maine, and one of its agents with discrimination for denying a veteran with disabilities the right to keep his assistance animal. Read HUD’s charge.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from denying or limiting housing to people with disabilities, or from refusing to make reasonable accommodations in policies or practices for people with disabilities. This includes not allowing people with disabilities (impairments that substantially limit major life activities) to have assistance animals that perform work or tasks, or that provide disability-related emotional support. 

“No person with a disability should be denied the accommodation they need, especially individuals who served in the Armed Forces to defend our freedom,” said Anna María Farías, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD will continue to work to ensure that housing providers meet their obligation to comply with this nation’s fair housing laws.”

The case came to HUD’s attention when a veteran with disabilities filed a complaint alleging that Roderick Apartments refused to lease an apartment to him because he uses a dog as an assistance animal.  HUD’s Charge alleges that tests subsequently conducted by Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA), a nonprofit agency that provides free civil and legal assistance to low- income Maine residents, confirmed  Roderick Apartments’ policy of refusing to rent to persons with an assistance animal. In one test, a PTLA tester posing as an apartment seeker who uses an assistance animal allegedly was told that having the animal would be grounds for eviction. 

"Fair Housing Act charges on the basis of disability demonstrate HUD's continued commitment to ensuring that housing providers offer equal opportunities to all persons looking to rent a home," said Paul Compton, HUD's General Counsel. 

HUD's charge will be heard by a United States Administrative Law Judge unless any party elects for the case to be heard in federal court. If the administrative law judge finds after a hearing that discrimination has occurred, he may award damages to the complainant for his loss as a result of the discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief, as well as payment of attorney fees. In addition, the judge may impose civil penalties in order to vindicate the public interest.

People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to hud.gov/fair housing, or by downloading HUD's free housing discrimination mobile application, which can be accessed through Apple and Android devices.

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 http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also connect with HUD on social media  or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.

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

2019 Breaking Barriers Award Gala

September 18, 2019 6-8:30 pm American Visionary Arts Museum (AVAM) 800 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230

To purchase a ticket or become a sponsor

please click here

Proceeds directly support DRM and expand our capacity to provide critical legal assistance for Marylanders with disabilities.

BOOK REVIEW


Broken Bargain: Bankers, Bailouts, and the Struggle to Tame Wall Street by Kathleen Day

440 pages. $35.00 hardcover.

Publisher: Yale University Press (January 8, 2019)

Excellent history of  how deregulation of the banks led to three recent US financial crises - the 1920s Depression, the 1980s, and the 2000s. The "bargain" that was broken was that, during the efforts to control the 1930s Depression, US bankers were given what amounts to a safety net in exchange for regulations promoting transparency, record-keeping and anti-fraud behaviors, and reasonable fiduciary responsibilities. Subsequently, the stability of the financial markets and the larger economy were undermined by the gutting and non-enforcement of the rules. The markets fell, the financial institutions sank, and taxpayers got stuck with the bill. For breaking the rules, almost no one was punished - or had learned a lesson - in the financial sector. The book also has suggestions for correction, reform, and enforcement.

Study finds Same-Sex Couples Discriminated Against in Applying for Mortgages

The study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of  Sciences found that mortgage lenders were  73% more likely to deny same-sex couples a home loan and charge them more for it. This was compared to heterosexual couples with the same financial worthiness, according to an analysis of national mortgage data from 1990 to 2015. On average, same-sex couples were given inferior terms when they were approved for a loan. They  paid 0.2% more in interest and fees - $86 million a year. 

It is legal for lenders to charge higher fees if there is greater risk, but the study found same-sex couples slightly are better regarding possible defaults, according to Lei Gao, an assistant professor at Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business and co-author of the study.  

The study's researchers said their findings show the need: (1) to include sexual orientation as a protected class under federal lending laws to guarantee same-sex couples equal access to credit, and (2) that credit monitoring agencies should investigate unfair lending practices. A change in the law in necessary because while the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act outlaw discrimination against borrowers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, they do not include sexual orientation.  

In related news, HUD is reviewing Twitter’s and Google’s ad practices as part of housing discrimination probe.

[Redlining was banned 50 years ago. It’s still hurting minorities today.]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/04/17/same-sex-couples-applying-mortgage-face-higher-rejection-worse-rates-study-finds/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.83f34e096003

June 12, 2019

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights is accepting applications for the Western Maryland Advisory Council MCCR is seeking leaders who are enthusiastic about promoting and improving civil and human rights in their communities to serve on MCCR's Western Maryland Advisory Council! CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION ONLINE TODAY Requirements for Membership Members must be at least 18 years old and reside within Frederick, Washington, Garrett, or Allegany counties. Members will be appointed as individuals and not as official representatives of organizations. One Member will be prioritized as a qualified applicant between the ages of 18 to 25. Members should be familiar with and supportive of MCCR’s mission, vision, and statutory jurisdiction. Objectives of the WMAC The objectives of the Western Maryland Advisory Council (WMAC) to MCCR are: To assist with the furtherance of the mission of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights To serve as a regional point-of-contact on issues within the area To increase public awareness of the services offered by MCCR as well as their protections under State law To build sustainable partnerships and connections to promote and improve civil and human rights statewide. In short, the WMAC will serve as the “eyes and ears” of the MCCR in the Western Maryland region (Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick counties) and assist in forming a stronger, strategic network of partners committed to civil and human rights in Maryland. What Can the WMAC Tackle? MCCR partners with leaders and organizations representing individuals from all walks of life in the interest of promoting equity, opportunity, and inclusion for all. If you want to be a part of a statewide effort to build bridges between people across races, ethnicities, incomes, religions, and generations, then MCCR wants to partner with you. Questions & Inquiries? Please contact Spencer Dove (Executive Associate) at 410-767-8576/spencer.dove@maryland.gov or Tara Taylor (Director of Education & Outreach) at 410-767-6459/taylor@maryland.gov.

Position OpeningIntern with the Baltimore Office of Civil Rights

Help Educate the Public about Their Right to Fair Housing!

Baltimore Office of Civil Rights

The Office of Civil Rights and Wage Enforcement is a city agency devoted to upholding the federal
and local civil rights laws, as well as the local minimum, living, and prevailing wage laws. The
overarching mission of the Office of Civil Rights is to carry out activities to eliminate discrimination
and protect individuals' civil rights. Interns will work specifically with the Community Relations
Commission on issues of fair housing. The Community Relations Commission is the city's official
fair employment practice, human rights, and intergroup relations agency which is responsible for
combating unlawful discrimination in employment, public accommodation, housing, education, and
health and welfare services based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry sex, physical or
mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and marital status. Interns will
aid the CRC in a variety of ways to provide outreach and help enforce Article 4 of the Baltimore City
Code and the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.

Duties:
• Help create training materials related to fair housing, specifically the Fair Housing Act of 1968
   and Article 4 of the Baltimore City Code
• Develop/create art work for printed outreach materials
• Provide training to local community groups, organizations, and professionals on fair housing
• Attend community events to discuss the work of the Community Relations Commission
• Distribute printed outreach materials
• Help create PSAs, social media campaigns, and webinars
• Collect data on outreach materials, training, community events, social media, and outreach
   campaigns
• Provide data to local officials
• Monitor local housing policies
• Work with staff to plan a Fair Housing Month Event in April 2020
• Assist with grant reporting
• Other administrative duties as assigned

Compensation:

The Fair Housing Intern will work part-time year-round, beginning in July 2019 through June 2020.
Scheduling will be flexible, but on average will be expected to be approximately 20 hours per week.
Interns will be paid a bi-weekly stipend at a rate of $20 per hour. Some evening and weekend hours
may be required. Course credit may be available for internship.

Qualifications:

Interns are required to either be currently enrolled or have graduated from an accredited university.
Preferably, interns will have experience with fair housing and/or a legal background. Previous
knowledge of Article 4 of the Baltimore City Code or the Fair Housing Act of 1968 also preferred.

To apply to intern with the Baltimore Office of Civil Rights, interested individuals must submit the
following information: Name, contact information, copy of CV or résumé, and a written explanation as to why you would like to serve as a Fair Housing Intern. This information can be submitted via email to Raemond.Parrott@Baltimorecity.gov or mailed or hand delivered to: 7 E. Redwood Street, 9th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. Applications due by June 30, 2019.

ACLU files Discrimination Lawsuit against Virginia Apartment Complex for using Criminal Record Screening

The ACLU's lawsuit holds the policy at the Sterling Glen Apartments in Chesterfield, Virginia discriminates against African Americans by banning possible renters because of their felony criminal records and convictions for less serious offenses (e.g., drug possession). The purpose of this policy, the lawsuit argues, is to keep African Americans from renting in the complex. While 22% of Chesterfield County's residents are African Americans, 46% have felony convictions.

“Bans like these not only pose a barrier to people reentering the community after release from jail or prison, but also those with records who have been living and working in the community for years or even decades,” said ACLU of Virginia Dunn legal fellow Jennifer Safstrom. “Lack of access to permanent housing can also increase rates of recidivism, perpetuating cycles of criminalization and making communities less safe.”

The apartment complex owner replied that the original background check clause was put in only to notify applicants of a background check, not to ban criminals as a whole.

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a guidance that said “disparate” - or unfair - methods of reviewing housing applications are discriminatory, "such as a refusal to rent or renew a lease based on an individual’s criminal history.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/aclu-claims-criminal-record-screening-at-va-apartment-complex-is-racially-biased/2019/06/05/1f1a3d54-87a9-11e9-98c1-e945ae5db8fb_story.html?utm_term=.ecf4c593b015

https://www.nbc12.com/2019/06/06/aclu-files-lawsuit-against-chesterfield-apartment-complex-owners/