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HUD continues funding local housing authorities for paying shoppers/testers. Millions of dollars have been allocated for testing. It is legal for testers to be untruthful in order to learn if the employees/policies are discriminating. Entrapment may seem illegal and unfair; however the goal is equal treatment for members of all the protected classes.
Earlier this year, HUD published inflation-adjusted civil penalty amounts for individuals or companies that were found to have violated a variety of different housing-related laws, including the federal Fair Housing Act.
Under the revised amounts, a violator can be assessed a maximum civil penalty of $23,011 for a first violation of the Fair Housing Act. If the person or firm had violated the Fair Housing Act in the previous five years and are again in violation, they can be fined a maximum of $57,527, and respondents who had violated the law two or more times in the previous seven years can be fined a maximum of $115,054 upon another violation.
Education is increasingly important. One comment from a staff member can cause complaints to be filed. The wording of one policy can provoke a complaint!
Housing providers/employees should have updated training at least twice a year and policies reviewed often. Responses like “I didn’t know that” and “We didn’t know that new rulings/ protected classes had been added” will not protect you.
Big mistakes;
“You have to speak English.”
“You can’t qualify if you have a felony”
“We don’t allow children on the 3rd floor.”
Review of:
Property Owners, Management Executives, OnSite Team Members, Managers, Regionals, Leasing Consultants
