 Did you know that minorities now account for 30% of first-time homebuyers? And that the U.S. Bureau of the Census predicts that minorities will make up three-fourths of the nation’s population growth?
Chances are you probably do know this and your neighborhood is as wonderfully diverse as mine. It’s this diversity that brings richness to our neighborhood, to our lives, and to our children and families. And it’s something we all need to preserve and protect.
National Fair Housing Month, which runs throughout April, celebrates our right to own, use, and transfer real estate and housing in a diverse marketplace free from discrimination that is based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin.
It’s about providing equal and affordable housing opportunities and ensuring the housing industry supports equal opportunity in housing. But many people might not understand exactly what fair housing means. Here’s a primer that will help you and your family learn just what fair housing means – and why it’s so important.
What is fair housing anyway?
The Fair Housing Act is actually Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing because of race or color; national origin; religion; sex; familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18); or disability. The Fair Housing Act includes most housing and prohibits actions such as:
- Refusing to rent or sell housing
- Refusing to negotiate for housing
- Making housing unavailable
- Denying a dwelling
- Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
- Providing different housing services or facilities
- Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
- Denying anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.
The Fair Housing Act also applies to mortgage lending situations, stating that no one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability:
- Refuse to make a mortgage loan
- Refuse to provide information regarding loans
- Impose different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points, or fees
- Discriminate in appraising property
- Refuse to purchase a loan or
- Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan.
It’s also illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.
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The Fair Housing Act extends to persons with disabilities, including those with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC). Landlords must make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing.
For example, a building with a no-pets policy must allow a visually impaired tenant to keep a guide dog, and an apartment complex that offers tenants plenty of unassigned parking must honor a request from a mobility-impaired tenant for a reserved space near her apartment to assure that she can have access to her apartment.
What if there’s a problem?
If you think your fair housing rights have been violated, consumers should contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and complete a Housing Discrimination Complaint Form. It’s available for download on HUD’s Web site (www.hud.gov), or you can contact the HUD office nearest you. You have one year after an alleged violation to file a complaint with HUD, but it’s wise to file it as soon as possible.
If you are disabled, HUD can provide a toll-free TTY phone for the hearing impaired (1-800-927-9275), interpreters, tapes, and Braille materials, and assistance in reading and completing forms.
The Fair Housing Act and HUD’s regulations contain more detail and technical information. If you’re interested in a copy of the law or regulations, contact the HUD office nearest you.
REALTORS® and fair housing
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) takes a leading role in celebrating this month – advocating fair housing, linking all aspects of housing and community to equal housing opportunity, and promoting partnership approaches at the state and local level.
In 1996, NAR and HUD entered into a fair housing partnership to jointly identify, address, and promote fair housing. This partnership agreement emphasizes a cooperative approach to addressing the nation’s fair housing concerns.
In fact, there are several initiatives NAR is involved with to ensure every person buying or selling a home is properly protected. One of these is the Many Neighborhoods – One America program, which complements the partnership between HUD and NAR by providing a unique training and certification program for real estate agents. REALTORS® who complete the program will earn a specialized certification, which is great news for consumers.
NAR also sponsors a Housing Needs Program, which works to make sure that the right to own, transfer, and use real estate, particularly housing, remains affordable. Ensuring opportunities for housing involves integrating fairness, nondiscrimination, and affordability.
It is important to learn about those who are different from us, celebrate those differences, and protect the right to fair housing opportunities.
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