Tenant Screening USA
Even after 50 years of the FHA struggles still remain in regards to housing discrimination in the USA. A good time time to review current tenant selection policies.
WALTHAM, Mass. (PRWEB) April 23, 2018
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 attempts to deter and, potentially, eliminate discrimination in housing, both in the rental market as well as with ownership. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: “Significant anniversaries should alert landlords and property managers to review existing housing policies and work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain fully compliant with existing law.”
The potential of discrimination in housing remains a challenge. With the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 the federal government took steps to decrease and eliminate discrimination in housing.
Almeida states: “Tenant screening is an area where a landlord and/or property manager should review existing policies and insure those policies are fully compliant with governing law. Working with a third-party tenant screening agency remains a best practice.”
With best intentions in place challenges remain in eliminating discrimination.
In Seattle, Washington a recent attempt to curb discrimination in rental housing failed on legal grounds.
From the website Governing.com (Mar. 29, 18):
Seattle's law requiring landlords to choose among qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis violates the state constitution, a judge ruled Wednesday. (1)
Housing advocates in Connecticut challenged discrimination against the disabled and forced Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) to alter tenant screening policies to provide fair access to rental housing. (2)
There are also challenges with potential discrimination in housing advertisements on social media.
Almeida states: “Certain methods can be used to create on-line ads that favor certain groups of people over other groups of people.”
Facebook currently is facing legal challenges regarding the potential manipulation of on-line housing advertisements. (3)
Housing and discrimination may always exist and could remain problematic, but some cities continue to stare down the challenge.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania housing advocates continue to push against discrimination. Proposals are being developed by the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Task Force.
From the Post-Gazette (Apr. 08, 18) highlights of the Task Force’s proposal:
Some of the recommendations include: passage of inclusionary zoning, a legal defense fund for low-income Pittsburghers facing eviction, non-discriminatory tenant screening practices, maximizing the use of the Section 8 homeownership program, and fair housing training for landlords and tenants. (4)
Almeida states: “With the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act this month of April and continuing questions regarding potential discrimination in renting, a best practice remains for landlords and property managers to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency. Laws will continuously change and landlords and property managers should remain diligent by verifying compliance of all housing policies, including and especially tenant screening.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party background screening company that provides tenant background checks to landlords and property managers for all sizes and types of rental complexes. From the single-unit to the large community, TenantScreeningUSA.com has the ability to customize a tenant screening package specific to a managers unique requirements.
Notes:
(1) governing.com/topics/urban/tns-seattle-rental-discrimination-judge.html
(2) ctmirror.org/2018/04/15/half-century-fair-housing-act-segregated/
(3) nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/facebook-hasn-t-fixed-its-discriminatory-housing-ads-problem-lawsuit-n860481
(4) newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/blog/fair-housing-is-50-but-has-its-promise-been-realized/
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING ALLIANCE; FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER, INC.; HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT FOR EXCELLENCE, INC.; FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL OF GREATER SAN ANTONIO, Plaintiffs, v. FACEBOOK, INC., Defendant. Index No: 18 Civ. 2689 COMPLAINT