Skip to main content

 

A lack of knowledge by housing providers when it comes to LGBTQ housing rights:

June is pride Month. A time when comminutes come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves without discrimination. In housing there is a lack of knowledge by housing providers. The Federal Fair Housing Act protects against discrimination because of Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), however many landlords continue to disregard the law or plainly are not aware of the law. Some states and local governments also protect against discrimination because of a person‘s Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation). Landlords/housing providers can learn more about the laws and obligations under the Fair Housing Act and HUD’s Equal Access Rule with respect to individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ). In 2021, President Biden issued an executive order directing all federal agencies to interpret protections against discrimination based on sex to include discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. On February 2021 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a memorandum announcing its implementation of that order. Accordingly, the agency “will administer and enforce the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.” 

For example, Habitat for Humanity is partnering with the LGBT Center of Raleigh to finish new homes in Raleigh and bring awareness about the housing disparities in the LGBTQ+ community. 'Not a lot of laws protecting discrimination': Habitat for Humanity build helps LGBTQ community - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"Pinklining"? Innovative way to deny women home loans

From redlining to  “pinklining,” a term most people have probably never heard, is hurting women and especially women of color.  The term comes from the 1970's term   redlining . T he term used by governments, agencies, banks and other lenders to deny people of color access to mortgages and credit. Those in charge of public policy and lending practices would draw a redline around certain neighborhoods with high concentrations of minorities and deny them financing and other forms of credit if they lived within those lines. Now, more specifically lenders are using the term "pinklining" ala redlining to identify neighborhoods and deny woman of color the chance to buy homes. Is There a Gender Gap in Home Equity Loans? (investopedia.com)

News Roundup: March 15-26

NFHA President Testifies Before House Judiciary Committee (Reading the full testimony is strongly recommended for anyone interested Fair Housing issues.) On March 11, Shanna Smith of the National Fair Housing Alliance (NHFA) testified before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommitte on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, with a presentation titled "Protecting the American Dream: A Look at the Fair Housing Act." The testimony emphasizes that in spite of our efforts, the nation still falls "dramatically short of reaching the actual goals of the Fair Housing Act" which is designed to "eliminate housing discrimination and to promote residential integration." "While people are working together in greater numbers than ever before--many go home each night to racially segregated neighborhoods." Shanna "explores the nature and extent of housing discrimination as it is manifested today, how enforcement action is moving

SunTrust $21Million Settlement with DOJ

This past Thursday, Businessweek covered a massive settlement in a federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in SunTrust’s lending practices. The suit, filed by the US DOJ, was filed in the U.S. District Court in Richmond, VA, alleging more than 20,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers were charged more than similarly-situated and qualified non-Hispanic white borrowers, between 2005 and 2009. The suit alleged that minority borrowers in 75 geographic markets from Virginia Beach, VA to San Francisco, CA, paid more in loan fees, or were charged higher interest rates based solely on race or national origin. A consent order filed with the complaint says SunTrust denies any wrongdoing, but agreed to the settlement. "SunTrust strongly believes in the principles of fair lending," company spokesman Mike McCoy in Atlanta said. "We are pleased to have reached a settlement and put this matter behind us." Settlements like this come as a surprise, considering the