April 20, 2020
The FHA and HUD celebrate Fair Housing Month during April each year, and in the year 2020, coronavirus pandemic concerns raise some Fair Housing issues to new importance.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued official policy on housing discrimination related to COVID-19.
The agency issued a press release, reminding tenants, landlords, house hunters, and all others involved in the housing industry, “…viruses do not target specific racial or ethnic groups. Be aware that the Fair Housing Act and other federal laws prohibit the eviction, turning away or harassment of a person in housing because they are profiled, on the basis of race, national origin or other protected class, to be associated with COVID-19.”
That is a very important issue to consider. Not everyone is able to shelter in place during COVID-19; some are forced to relocate, move out and find new housing even as their friends and loved ones are planning for extended lockdown measures.
Those who must seek housing are in search of essential services; those who provide housing (to include rentals, not just home loans and home purchases) are fully expected to abide by federal Fair Housing Act regulations.
And it’s not just limited to those who may be associated with coronavirus. Did you know the Fair Housing Act also has its own whistleblower clauses? According to the HUD press release:
“The Fair Housing Act also prohibits retaliation and intimidation against persons who report acts of discrimination they have witnessed to law enforcement authorities, like HUD, or who aid someone who has been the victim of discrimination.”
HUD and the FHA aggressively pursue violations of the Fair Housing Act, but in many cases unless the victims or witnesses of housing discrimination (including discrimination against those who may be associated somehow with coronavirus / COVID-19) report the illegal activity, it may continue without punishment. And nobody wants that.
HUD reminds home owners and renters that the agency expects housing industry professionals to “set aside fear and speculation, and rely on objective medical information and advice from public health officials to determine steps that could mitigate or prevent the risk of transmission”.
Have you experienced discrimination in any phase of the housing process? If so, report the illegal activity directly to the FHA and HUD by calling their toll-free number Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 or visit the agency’s official site for filing Fair Housing complaints..
Bruce Reichstein has spent over three decades as an experienced FHA and VA home loan mortgage banker and underwriter where he was responsible for funding “Billions” in government backed mortgage loans. He is the Managing Editor for FHANewsblog.com where he educates homeowners on the specific guidelines for obtaining FHA guaranteed home loans.
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