[StBernard] April Is Fair Housing Month

[Westley Annis]

April Is Fair Housing Month  

 

Did you know that April is National Fair Housing Month?

 

If so, great!  You are uniquely situated to protect your rights. Yes, RIGHTS
as they relate to Fair Housing!

 

What is Fair Housing, you may be wondering


 

Well, to put it quite simply, the Fair Housing Act is a law which ensures
and guarantees for each citizen the critical, personal element of freely
choosing a home.

 

What this means to you and your family is that:

 

1.    Things like barriers or obstacles intentionally designed to limit your
choice of where to live are illegal; and that

2.    Race, color, ethnicity, disability, national origin, religion, sexual
identity, familial status and gender cannot be used to prohibit you from
living where you would like.

How does this affect you?

 

If you believe you have been discriminated against based on ANY OF THE
ABOVE, you can contact Housing and Urban Development or your local fair
housing center (St. Bernard Parish Office of Fair Housing @ www.sbpg.net
<http://www.sbpg.net> ) and report it.

 

For example, here are some telltale signs of housing discrimination against
families with children:

 

·         Allowing only one child per bedroom;

·         Charging a higher security deposit for families with kids;

·         Limiting families with children to the first floor or certain
buildings; and

·         Refusing to rent to families with children

Discrimination isn’t always obvious. Still, it is hurtful and illegal.  

Here are some other possible signs you might hear from a landlord:

 

·         “My insurance won’t cover a ramp if you get hurt.”

·         “We only take English speaking people.”

·         “The apartment/house I told you about on the phone has already
been rented.”

·         “Steps are what we have. We can’t accommodate a walker.”

·         “The ad is wrong. The rent is really $75 higher per month.”

Yet we all know that diverse neighborhoods promote understanding and
respect
 and best of all, friendship.  Neighborhood diversity promotes a
greater sense of engagement, teaches that stereotypes are wrong and better
prepares our kids for the global community.  When we welcome diversity, we
encourage fair housing for all and help to stop housing discrimination.

 

Housing discrimination is not just unfair – it is against the law.  Fair
Housing Is Your Right. Use it. Visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing
<http://www.hud.gov/fairhousing>  or call the HUD Hotline 1-800-669-9777
(English/Español) 1-800-927-9275 (TTY)