December 2010 Coach’s Quiz

We've given you five rules on how to avoid fair housing trouble based on national origin. Now let's look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the COACH's Quiz to see what you have learned.

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, 1)b, 2)a, and so on. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

Would it be a violation of fair housing law if a community established an English-only policy and refused to accept applicants who cannot speak English?

1. Yes.

2. No.

QUESTION #2

Does federal fair housing law require communities to verify an applicant's immigration status as part of the screening process?

1. Yes.

2. No.

QUESTION #3

If you have good intentions in believing that new immigrants would prefer to live near one another, is it unlawful to show them only vacancies in areas where others from the same country already live?

1. Yes.

2. No.

QUESTION #4

You've received a number of calls from residents who complain about the strong odor of curry and other spices emanating from a neighbor's unit. To resolve the neighbors' complaints, could you ban the use of curry and other strong spices in the building?

1. Yes.

2. No.

Coach's Answers & Explanations

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rule #1 applies here:

Rule #1: Promote Policies to Treat Everyone Equally—Regardless of National Origin

Establishing an English-only policy and excluding applicants who can't speak English would amount to a fair housing violation based on national origin.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #2 applies here:

Rule #2: Consistently Apply Screening Standards for Legal Residency Status

Federal fair housing neither requires nor prohibits communities from screening applicants based on their immigration status. Subject to state and local requirements, fair housing laws permit communities to develop their own policies on whether and how to determine whether an applicant is lawfully entitled to live in the United States.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rule #3 applies here:

Rule #3: Don't Steer Based on National Origin

Despite your good intentions, it is unlawful steering to limit a prospect's housing choices based on his national origin. Unless prospects say that they want to see only units near friends, family, or others who are from the same ethnic group, offer to show prospects all vacancies that meet their rental criteria.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rules #1 and #3 apply here:

Rule #1: Promote Policies to Treat Everyone Equally—Regardless of National Origin

Rule #5: Keep an Eye on Resident Relations

A policy to prohibit the use of curry or other strong spices in the building is likely to have a disproportionate effect on residents from India or other Middle Eastern countries, which could trigger a fair housing claim based on national origin.