Fair Housing

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Fair Housing Definition of a Dwelling

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) applies to “dwellings.” This raises the technical issue of what a dwelling is. The answer is not as simple as one may think. The statute’s definition of a dwelling includes any building occupied or intended…

Winning Reasonable Accommodation Cases – Smoking Complaints

Every owner and manager of a housing development understands (or should understand) that disabled applicants and residents have the right to request that properties be modified (reasonable modifications) or that rules be changed or waived (reasonable accommodations) so that the…

Winning Reasonable Accommodation Cases – Noise Complaints

Every owner and manager of a housing development understands (or should understand) that disabled applicants and residents have the right to request that properties be modified (reasonable modifications) or that rules be changed or waived (reasonable accommodations) so that the…

Family Members of Live-in Aides- New HUD Guidance

In the past, HUD guidance has indicated that family members of live-in aides could not reside with the aide in housing developments assisted under the HUD Multifamily Housing Division. This includes project-based rental assistance programs such as Section 8, as…

Winning Reasonable Accommodation Cases

Every owner and manager of a housing development understands (or should understand) that disabled applicants and residents have the right to request that properties be modified (reasonable modifications) or that rules be changed or waived (reasonable accommodations) so that the…

Criminal Background Checks and Fair Housing

     The federal Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are making investigations of fair housing violations in three specific areas a priority for 2019. These areas are sexual harassment, tenant-on-tenant harassment, and policies…

Sexual Harassment – A Fair Housing Priority

     The federal Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are making investigations of fair housing violations in three specific areas a priority for 2019. Those areas are sexual harassment, tenant-on-tenant harassment, and policies…

HUD Charges Facebook with Fair Housing Violations

On March 27, 2019, the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) formally charged Facebook with violating the Fair Housing Act by encouraging, enabling, and causing housing discrimination through the company’s advertising platform. The action follows HUD’s investigation of complaints…

Fair Housing Testing – Understanding How it Works

            Fair housing testing was first approved by the Supreme Court in 1982. The purpose of fair housing testing is to determine the likelihood that illegal housing discrimination is occurring. How Does Testing Work?             The testing process often begins…

Major Fair Housing Settlement in Housing Accessibility Case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has settled a major fair housing and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit against Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., and Mid-America Apartments, LP for $11.3 million to resolve allegations that these owners failed to build 50…

Exotic Emotional Support Animals – Court Case

The decision in a recent court case indicates that local laws against certain animals may not violate fair housing law. The case is Bauhman v. City of Elkhart, TX, March 2018. Facts of the Case 1. The city of Elkhart…

Update on Criminal Screening for Occupancy

A recent fair housing settlement in New York City illustrates the importance of having screening policies for criminal records that only screen for criminal behavior that presents an actual threat to people or property. A New York City property management…

Occupancy Standards and Fair Housing

Every owner and manager of multifamily properties must develop occupancy standards for their property. It is these standards that determine how many people may live in a unit. When deciding on an occupancy standard, the key question is always –…

Environmental Issues Relating to Fair Housing

As we all know, the environment in which we live can impact our health and well-being. Bad water and bad air are known causes of health problems. What often goes unnoticed however is the environment within buildings – including homes.…

HUD Lodges Fair Housing Complaint Against Facebook

On August 17, 2018, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) announced a formal complaint against Facebook for violating the Fair Housing Act by allowing landlords and sellers to use its advertising platform to engage in housing discrimination.…

ADA Service Animal Guidance May be Instructive for Housing Providers

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that state and local government agencies and non-profits that provide goods or services to the public make “reasonable modifications” in policies, practices, or procedures when needed to accommodate persons with disabilities. This requirement…
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