Fair Housing-Presentation

Presentation - Fair Housing
Pdf Summary
This comprehensive training document from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) provides an extensive overview of Fair Housing laws, regulations, and best practices relevant to affordable housing programs. It is designed for all agency staff to understand, comply with, and promote Fair Housing, focusing on eliminating discrimination and barriers in housing.<br /><br />Key topics covered include the history and evolution of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) of 1968 and its amendments—particularly the 1988 expansions that added protections based on familial status and disability. The current federal protections include discrimination prohibitions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment), familial status, and disability. It defines protected classes in detail, including what constitutes familial status and disability, and clarifies unlawful practices such as discriminatory advertising, false availability, blockbusting, and housing denial.<br /><br />The training addresses the obligation under Title VIII to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH), which includes fostering integration and reducing segregation. Enforcement mechanisms through HUD and DOJ, complaint filing procedures, investigation processes, and remedies for violations are explained thoroughly. Several real-world case studies illustrate the consequences of Fair Housing violations.<br /><br />The document covers specific rules such as the Equal Access Rule ensuring nondiscrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. It also details rights and obligations related to reasonable accommodations and modifications, especially for persons with disabilities, including the handling of assistance animals and accessibility standards in multifamily housing under ADA and Section 504.<br /><br />There are modules dedicated to specifics of programs like Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Public Housing (PH), and project-based vouchers, describing policy adaptations, eligibility criteria, and application processes that comply with Fair Housing laws. The training also explains the recent reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), its impact on housing protections, and guidance on limited English proficiency (LEP) requirements.<br /><br />Overall, the training equips housing professionals with knowledge to prevent discrimination, promote equitable access to housing, manage compliance, and respond effectively to complaints, aligning with federal laws, executive orders, and HUD guidance.
Keywords
Fair Housing Act
NAHRO training
housing discrimination
protected classes
familial status
disability rights
affirmatively furthering fair housing
Equal Access Rule
reasonable accommodations
Housing Choice Voucher