Fort Worth Observes Fair Housing Awareness Month
April 18, 2009 by admin
Filed under Press Releases
Fair Housing Is Your Right
The City of Fort Worth is committed to fair housing opportunities for all people. That’s why it has designated April as Fair Housing Awareness Month in recognition of the 41st anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act.
The signs of discrimination may be subtle, such as a mortgage loan officer, real estate agent or leasing agent not offering encouragement or assistance in the application process. Be an informed buyer or renter and know your rights.
Federal, State, Local Protection
Federal and state fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status. As an added protection, the City of Fort Worth prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Familial status is included to protect people with children under 18, including family members who are pregnant.
People with disabilities are entitled to certain modifications or accommodations when looking for housing.
Discrimination by housing providers, real estate agents, brokers, appraisers, builders and rental agents is wide-ranging and can include failing to discuss certain loan or insurance products and neglecting to suggest ways in which homebuyers can improve their chances of getting a loan or purchasing insurance coverage.
Other practices are not as subtle. For instance, an insurance company may refuse to insure properties in low-income neighborhoods or fail to offer the best protection in those neighborhoods. In other cases, mortgage companies or rental agents may violate fair housing laws by preferring clients of a certain ethnicity.
It is illegal for mortgage companies and insurance providers to refuse to provide information about a mortgage or insurance, to impose different terms or conditions on a loan or insurance, or to discriminate when awarding a loan or insuring a property.
If you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, you can file a complaint with the city’s Community Relations Department at no charge.
To learn more, call 817-392-7525.
