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Tackling Tough Questions About Assistance Animals

February 21, 2013    

In its March lesson, Fair Housing Coach tackles one of the most challenging aspects of fair housing law: how to handle requests for assistance animals as a reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability.

In general, communities may set their own policies regulating...

Congressman Introduces Legislation to Fund Fair Housing Testing

January 24, 2013    

In January 2013, legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives to authorize $15 million annually over five years for HUD to administer nationwide fair housing testing to measure patterns of adverse treatment in the housing market.

Congressman Al Green of Texas introduced the...

Avoid Committing the NEW Seven Deadly Fair Housing Sins

January 24, 2013    

In the February 2013 lesson, the Coach finishes its two-part lesson on deadly fair housing sins, old and new. Last month, Part I of the lesson covered the old—violation of federal fair housing rules that have been on the books for many years, but continue to trigger costly fair...

Avoid Committing Seven Deadly Fair Housing Sins

December 19, 2012    

With the January 2013 issue of Fair Housing Coach, we begin a two-part lesson on the deadly sins of fair housing law. Among the sins is racial discrimination. Though it’s been outlawed for more than 40 years, federal officials continue to pursue complaints against...

Three More States Approve Same-Sex Marriage

November 15, 2012    

Same-sex marriage was on the ballot in four states this November. Voters in Maine, Maryland, and Washington approved ballot initiatives to recognize same-sex marriage, while voters in Minnesota rejected a measure to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, according to the...

Dealing with Prospects, Applicants, and Residents Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

November 15, 2012    

In the December lesson, Fair Housing Coach reviews fair housing requirements when dealing with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The law’s disability provisions apply to millions of Americans, including people who are profoundly deaf as well as those with various...

Ensuring Fair Housing Compliance When Addressing Environmental Concerns

September 26, 2012    

In the October 2012 lesson, Fair Housing Coach reviews the fair housing implications of environmental concerns involved in the maintenance and upkeep of the community.

Complying with Fair Housing Law When Dealing with Older Applicants and Residents

August 22, 2012    

In the September 2012 lesson, Fair Housing Coach reviews fair housing requirements with respect to older applicants and residents. Aging is not a protected characteristic under federal fair housing law, but there are many ways in which communities could face fair housing problems when...

Fair Housing Highlights from NAA’s 2012 Educational Conference

July 24, 2012    

Fair housing was on the table at the National Apartment Association’s annual Educational Conference & Exposition held in Boston last month. Among the many educational sessions were presentations by Fair Housing Coach Advisory Board members on key fair housing...

COACH’s Pop Quiz!

July 24, 2012    

Q: Even though federal fair housing law doesn’t ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, a community could face a fair housing complaint if it treats applicants or residents differently because of their sexual orientation. True...

Lessons Learned from Recent Fair Housing Cases

June 21, 2012    

In the July Fair Housing Coach, we take an in-depth look at some recent court rulings from around the country involving fair housing disputes. The people and particulars of each case may be unique, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn something by examining the details...

Fair Housing and Criminal Background Checks

May 18, 2012    

In its June 2012 lesson, Fair Housing Coach takes a look at a “hot topic” in fair housing circles—the use of criminal background checks in screening prospective residents.