July 1, 2014
A press release at the FHA/HUD official site announces a settlement in a housing discrimination case featuring unlawful restrictions in a condo project. According to HUDNo.14-083, there’s an agreement between the Connecticut Fair Housing Center (CFHC) and a company called Lil-1 Associates, plus AllPoints Realty, and a realtor.
“The real estate companies will pay more than $24,000 to settle allegations that they published discriminatory listings and advertisements for condominiums specifying that children were not permitted” according to the HUD press release.
“The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to refuse to sell or rent housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. This includes refusing to allow families with children under 18 unless the property qualifies as housing for older persons.” Fair Housing laws are very specific on this issue.
“Refusing to sell or rent housing to families with children is against the law unless the property meets the very specific requirements of housing for older persons,” said Bryan Greene, HUD’s General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD will continue to enforce the Fair Housing Act and ensure that real estate brokers and agents do not illegally limit the housing options of families because they have children.”
The original complaint, according to the press release, alleges that “Lil-1, AllPoints and Polak placed internet advertisements and a listing in the Multiple Listing Service that specified that children were not permitted at the advertised condominiums in Plainville, CT. Respondents also allegedly verbally communicated the policy of prohibiting families with children to a CFHC tester posing as a potential buyer. The condo complex is not housing for older persons.”
The settlement includes payment of more than $24 thousand in damages. “AllPoints also agreed to ensure that its employees attend fair housing training, and to hold itself out as an equal opportunity housing provider in future advertisements. The company also agreed to inform any property owners seeking to list rentals or sales with limitations against families with children that doing so is a violation of the Fair Housing Act. Lil-1 Associates has ceased operations.”
We discuss these stories here from time to time because preventing these types of cases often depends on complaints being filed. FHA borrowers who feel they have been discriminated against in the housing process should contact the FHA and HUD directly. You can file a complaint at (800) 669-9777 .
Do you have questions about FHA home loans? Ask us in the comments section. You can get information about applying or getting pre-approved for an FHA loan at FHA.com, a private company and not a government website.
Joe Wallace has been specializing in military and personal finance topics since 1995. His work has appeared on Air Force Television News, The Pentagon Channel, ABC and a variety of print and online publications. He is a 13-year Air Force veteran and a member of the Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association. He was Managing editor for www.valoans.com for (8) years and is currently the Associate Editor for FHANewsblog.com.
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