May 2016 Coach's Quiz

We have given you seven rules for avoiding fair housing trouble at your community. 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

Which of following characteristics are protected under federal fair housing law?

a.   Race.

b.   National origin.

c.   Marital status.

d.   Sex.

e.   Sexual orientation.

f.   Familial status.

g.   Age.

h.   Color.

i.   Disability.

j.   Source of income.

k.   Religion.

QUESTION #2

Only legal immigrants are protected under federal fair housing law. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #3

It’s okay to tell families with young children that they should rent a unit near the playground instead of the pond, since the children would be safer and happier there. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #4

A community must consider an applicant’s request for a reserved parking space even if he doesn’t appear to have a disability. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answers: a, b, d, f, h, i, k

Federal fair housing law bans housing discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability (though the others may be protected classes under state or local law).

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rules #1, #2 & #3 apply here:

     Rule #1: Don’t Discriminate Against Racial Minorities

     Rule #2: Don’t Discriminate Against Ethnic Minorities

     Rule #3: Don’t Discriminate Based on Religious Differences

The law bans housing discrimination against racial, ethnic, or religious minorities—regardless of their immigration status.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #4 applies here:

     Rule #4: Don’t Discriminate Against Families with Children

Even if well-meaning, you could be accused of discrimination based on familial status for guiding families with children to—or away from—certain areas within the community. The FHA prohibits “steering”—that is, encouraging or discouraging prospects to live in a particular part of the community because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rules #6 & #7 apply here:

Rule #6: Don’t Discriminate Based on Disability

Rule #7: Consider Reasonable Accommodation and Modification Requests

The community must consider an applicant’s request for a reserved parking space, even if he doesn’t have an obvious disability. It’s unlawful to turn him away because he made the request for an exception to your parking policies, though you may request reliable information that is necessary to verify that he has a disability and that he has a disability-related need for the parking space.