According to a new national study by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, housing discrimination continues, albeit in more subtle ways then in the past. As reported in The New York Times, the study found that minorities did not face blatant actions of discrimination but rather were subjected to more subtle forms, such as being questioned more about their finances than whites or not being shown houses or apartments by real-estate brokers that they showed to similarly situated whites.
New York State and Federal laws prohibit someone from denying you the opportunity to rent or buy a house because of your race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, marital status, children, age, or sexual preference. Housing, mortgage and credit discrimination laws apply to:
- Sellers
- Landlords
- Property managers
- Mortgage brokers
- Real estate agents
- Lending and credit institutions
- Building contractors
- Appraisers
- Architects
If you believe that you have been the victim of housing discrimination, you should protect your rights and consult with an attorney.
