For months now, the world has been facing the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has warned against stigmatizing people due to COVID-19. The fear and anxiety of the pandemic can lead to social stigma, which is discrimination against a group of people, place, or nation.
In this article, we’ll discuss some rules to avoid fair housing trouble in the community while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Does The Fair Housing Act Say?
The FHA (Fair Housing Act) is a federal law that prevents housing discrimination based on color, race, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. The Fair Housing law targets housing practices that prohibit or discriminate against anyone due to their race, color, sex, or other protected class. Property managers, owners, and individual workers all may be held responsible for discriminatory housing practices, including:
- Deceitfully denying that housing is ready for inspection or rental;
- Refusing to pay or making housing unavailable;
- Using different eligibility criteria or applications, like income standards, application fees, application requirements, rental approval procedures, or credit analysis;
- Establishing different terms, conditions, or rights for the rental of housing, like different lease requirements related to security deposits, rental charges, and other lease terms;
- Allowing residents to a section of a community or floor of the house;
- Discouraging prospects from renting a flat by exaggerating drawbacks;
- Delaying or failing maintenance or repairs; and
- Offering different housing services or facilities, as access to community facilities.
Rules For Complying With Fair Housing Law While Dealing With COVID-19 Pandemic
Remember Fair Housing Requirements While Responding to COVID-19
The FHA may not be the first thing to think of when it comes to dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, but it is essential to remember that the law forbids discrimination based on disability, race and national origin, and other protected characteristics.
Comply with Laws Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment Against Ethnic and Racial Minorities
Fair housing law forbids discrimination on the basis of race and national origin. This means that it is illegal to exclude or discriminate against ethnic or racial minorities.
Do Not Let Fear of Coronavirus to Lead to Disability Discrimination Claims
It is vital to keep fair housing disability laws in mind when dealing with COVID-19. The FHA (Fair Housing Act) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. So it is illegal to deny housing to people or to treat people less favorably than others due to the disability.
Carefully Analyze Reasonable Accommodation Applications
Along with the general rules of preventing disability discrimination, there are some extra rules that require societies to grant equitable accommodations if necessary to empower individuals with disabilities to thoroughly enjoy their dwellings. Under the Fair Housing Act, it is illegal to refuse to make reasonable accommodations in the policies, rules, practices, or services if required for a person with a disability to fully use and enjoy the dwelling.
To know how to comply with the Fair Housing Laws while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, attend the Compliance Prime webinar.
