FAIR HOUSING TESTING PROGRAM

Abstract

While this article is a based on USA based law it is worth checking out to inform your own version of such a test.
Given Human Rights legislation in Qld it is worth considering how your organisation assesses eligibility for applicants seeking housing in your service or in other services who maybe vulnerable to discrimination.

The Department has demonstrated that testing can be a valuable tool to investigate housing, lending, and public accommodations market practices and to document illegal discrimination.
The Fair Housing Testing Program has greatly enhanced the ability of the Department to identify and to challenge the discriminatory practices that persist in these industries.

Testing refers to the use of individuals who – without any bona fide intent to rent or purchase housing, purchase a mortgage or vehicle loan, or patronize a place of public accommodation – pose as prospective renters, borrowers, or patrons for the purpose of gathering information.
This information may indicate whether a provider is complying with federal civil rights laws.
The primary focus of the Section’s Fair Housing Testing Program has been to identify unlawful housing discrimination based on race, national origin, disability, or familial status in violation of the Fair Housing Act.