Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) settled a Fair Housing Act (FHA) case filed in Massachusetts for $70,000 in which the Complainants asserted discrimination based on race and national origin.

As a part of its investigation, DOJ concluded that the Defendants discriminated against residents of South Asian descent in violation of the FHA. Specifically, the allegations were that, for over a five year period, ownership steered (legalese for directed) native South Asian residents to certain buildings in the 224 unit multi-family housing community. The Defendants, who DOJ noted cooperated with the inquiry, agreed to establish a settlement fund of $70,000 to compensate victims of the alleged discriminatory practices. As is typical in these cases, the Defendants also agreed to FHA training for their new employees.

In addition to the settlement fund, the Defendants also agreed to make changes in its rental practices to ensure that families with children are not similarly been steered to certain buildings and units in violation of the FHA.

The takeaway for professional apartment management? Ensure that your leasing office staff members permit qualified applicants choose from the available units at your communities. Management must not be in a situation in which it is directing (or steering) residents wish to reside. Indeed, there are times when it appears benign – a leasing specialist will think he or she is promoting safety by not permitting families with children to live in upstairs units or avoiding a busy parking lot or street. Similarly, a management office might think they are doing the right thing by placing people who are from certain countries in the same building or on the same floor. We simply cannot steer our applicants to certain buildings or units inside buildings and be in compliance with the letter and spirit of the FHA.

Just A Thought.