HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IS ILLEGAL
The federal Fair Housing Act as amended, as well as Florida’s state fair housing law, prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, lending, insurance and advertising of dwellings and in other housing-related transactions, based on:
Race · Color · National Origin · Religion
Sex · Familial Status · Disability
Miami-Dade County’s local fair housing law provides protection against discrimination on these additional basis:
Age · Marital Status · Sexual Orientation
Broward County’s local fair housing law provides protection against discrimination on these additional basis:
Age · Marital Status · Sexual Orientation
Political Affiliation
WHAT HOUSING IS COVERED?
The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In some circumstances, the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, housing operated by organizations, private clubs that limit occupancy to members and housing for older persons (55 and over Properties May Exclude Children under 18) with 1) HUD 202 sponsored elderly program; 2) property occupied solely by persons 62 years or older; or 3) 80% of the units house at least one person 55 years or older and the community has services and programs for older residents
WHO ARE PROVIDERS?
Ö Builders
Ö Condominium Associations
Ö Insurance Agents/Brokers
Ö Landlords
Ö Mortgage Lenders /Brokers
Ö Newspaper Organizations
Ö Property Appraisers
Ö Realtors
Ö Residential Managers
Ö Others who provide housing / housing services
COMMOM PROVIDER MISTAKES
Non-compliance, based on the protected classes, can be a federal, state and/or local offense. It is a provider’s lawful responsibility to comply with fair housing laws. Violators of the law may be subject to litigation, exorbitant costs and public embarrassment.
§ Many providers neglect to train each staff member to unsure understanding and application the fair housing laws. Providers can discriminate unintentionally, however, owners are still responsible for the actions of their employees. Providers should seek training as a preventative measure.
§ Some providers do not administer even-handed screening practices. Providers must provide complete and accurate information to every housing prospect that comes through their doors.
§ Inquiring too much into the nature of someone’s disability can expose the provider to liability. For example, inquiries about whether or not a disabled person can live independently.
§ Some providers wrongly assume that housing discrimination is not reported. As more residents and home-seekers become educated about their rights, there is a greater likelihood that those who engage in discriminatory practices will get caught.
WHO WE ARE
H.O.P.E., Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination and promoting equal opportunity in housing. H.O.P.E., Inc. is the only private fair housing organization in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties engaged in testing for fair housing law violations and pursuing the enforcement of meritorious claims. Since its 1988 inception, the agency has been instrumental in the recovery of over $6.8 million dollars in out-of-court settlements for victims of housing discrimination.
WHAT WE DO
H.O.P.E., Inc.’s mission is to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities for all people. In furthering our mission, we realize the importance of increasing voluntary compliance with the fair housing laws. Therefore, we work with providers by:
§ Conducting fair housing educational workshops/ seminars
§ Developing fair housing policies and procedures
§ Identifying best practices in working within our diverse community
§ Conducting the required Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) for local jurisdictions
§ Preparing final AI reports for local Jurisdictions who are Grantees of Federal HUD funds
§ Providing comprehensive contractual relocation services
TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROVIDERS
· Comply with the fair housing laws and keep a copy of the laws on hand
· Make sure staff is knowledgeable of fair housing laws
· Establish fair housing policies and procedures, and review / update as needed on an annual basis
· Promote and advertise fair housing practices
· Treat all housing prospects equally, regardless of their protected class
Keenya J. Robertson, President & CEO
18441 N.W. 2nd Ave., Suite 218
Miami Gardens, FL 33169
Phone: 305-651-HOPE
Fax: 305-493-0108
Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.
-- Maya Angelou
