September 3, 2019
Housing discrimination can affect any stage of the
House hunters who need to rent during their journey to
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD alleges the complex had illegal policies that required potential renters to be older than 35, “…in violation of the Fair Housing Act, which
HUD also alleges that “the condominium management team refused to rent a unit to a fair housing tester who claimed to have a four-year-old child”. Both of these issues could be considered violations of Fair Housing Act laws, and both may require training, financial penalties, and other consequences.
The HUD official site reminds, “The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to deny or limit housing because a family has children under the age of 18” and also makes it illegal to “make statements” discriminating against house hunters or renters with children.
“It’s difficult enough for families to find suitable housing without having their options further limited because they have children,” says Anna María Farías, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, who was quoted in a HUD press release. She adds, “Today’s action reinforces HUD’s commitment to taking appropriate action against housing providers that engage in unlawful practices.”
HUD’s charges in this case, include the owners of the rental complex posting ads describing the rental as a private “adult community”, which has been illegal under Fair Housing laws since the late 1980s.
If you have experienced housing discrimination of any kind, file a complaint with the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).