September 2023 - National Origin
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Welcome Note
Hello again! This month, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we focus on National Origin based discrimination. Such discrimination can be based either upon the country of an individual's birth or where his or her ancestors originated. Census data indicate that the Hispanic population is the fastest growing segment of our nation's population. As such, housing discrimination against Hispanic/Latinx families continues to grow as well.
Fair Housing & National Origin
National Origin based discrimination in housing accounted for only 5% of the total number of complaints filed with HUD in 2022. (1)
Many National Origin based issues in housing never get reported as families are more willing to adapt and put up with the discrimination, rather than “rock the boat” and risk retaliation that may affect their housing and/or immigration status.
Many property managers use other ways to discriminate against National Origin such as disallowing the use of Section 8 vouchers (2) or insisting on Citizenship or Permanent Resident status prior to renting.
In September 2022, nearly 48 million foreign-born people were living in the United States. (3)
In recent years, many states have passed laws that make it more difficult for immigrant families to live, find work and find housing in their states. (4)
https://nationalfairhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-Trends-Report-Final.pdf
Id.
https://cis.org/Report/ForeignBorn-Population-Hits-Nearly-48-Million-September-2022#:~:text=The%20Census%20Bureau's%20monthly%20Current,2.9%20million%20since%20January%202021.
https://www.ilrc.org/state-map-immigration-enforcement#:~:text=States%20are%20closely%20divided%20between,population%20of%2093%20million%20people).
So What Does It All Mean?
Many landlords and property managers feel empowered to discriminate against families based on National Origin as long as laws are being passed that promote ill will towards these families and families fear retaliation when speaking out.
Many landlords and property managers will continue to discriminate based on National Origin, making it not only difficult for families to maintain housing, but find new housing when forced to move.
The Fair Housing Act will not be properly enforced if families don’t file complaints.
What Can We Do?
Pay attention to the stories and concerns that students, parents, co-workers, and friends share with us when it comes to any poor treatment or denials in housing.
Encourage families to bring their concerns to light, as the Fair Housing Act and state Landlord/Tenant laws protect against retaliation.
Educate and inform each other about these rights and protections.
Community Outreach
Upcoming Outreach Events
October 4 - Compassionate St. Augustine Presentation on Fair Housing
October 12 - Fair Housing presentation at Luther Callaway Public Library
October 21 - Gainesville Pride Festival tabling
October 25 - Deland & Port Orange Trunk or Treat tabling
October 26 - GRACE Marketplace Fair Housing Presentation
Mondays - Learn to Read of St. Johns County- Adult English Language Learning and Legal Topics
What We’ve Been Up To
AAGO Fair Housing and Beyond in Orlando - We started off September by getting the chance to present fair housing basics for the housing providers in Orlando. It is always a great opportunity to talk with providers about the questions they may have. We are thankful for the partnership and look forward to more opportunities to work with them!
Flagler Humane Society’s Speaking of Animals Podcast - Thank you to the Flagler Humane Society for allowing us to be on your radio show. Our program director, Joseph Cordova, was a guest speaker on the show to share more information about Emotional Support Animals and Service animals and what rights are covered under the Fair Housing Act. You can listen to the podcast episode here. Feel free to share widely.
Putnam County’s Veterans Affair Suicide Prevention tabling - Thank you to Putnam Veterans’ Services for inviting us to join your Veterans’ Suicide Prevention Outreach and Awareness Event. The intersection between Fair Housing rights and mental health awareness for Veterans is clear and wide.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alachua County Fair Housing Presentation - Our outreach coordinator presented to a group of parents enrolled in Alachua County’s Big Brothers Big Sisters. Our Fair Housing team was joined by representatives from the new Alachua County Eviction Prevention program to inform families about the housing resources available through FLS. It was a great opportunity to serve the families of Alachua county.
State & Nationwide Legal Update
On March 2, 2023, the court entered a consent order in United States v. Park National Bank (S.D. Ohio). The complaint, which was filed on February 28, 2023, alleges that, from at least 2015 to 2021, Park National Bank (Park National) violated the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act on the basis of race, color, and national origin by engaging in unlawful redlining of predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods within the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area. The consent order requires Park National to invest at least $7.75 million in a loan subsidy fund to increase access to credit in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Columbus area; $750,000 in outreach, advertising, consumer financial education, and credit counseling initiatives; and $500,000 in developing community partnerships to provide services that expand access to residential mortgage credit. Park National will also open a new branch and a new loan production office in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods and ensure that a minimum of four mortgage lenders, at least one of whom is Spanish-speaking, are assigned to serve these areas.
On April 6 and 10, 2023, the court entered two proposed consent orders to resolve claims against all defendants in United States v. Louis Liberty & Associates, PLC, et al. (N.D. Cal.), a Fair Housing Act (FHA) “election” case. The complaint, filed on September 30, 2022, alleges that the defendants discriminated on the basis of national origin in violation of the FHA by targeting Hispanics for predatory loan modification services. Louis A. Liberty and Barney Diamos were also named as a defendant in the case. The case was referred to the Division after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received a complaint, conducted an investigation, and issued a charge of discrimination.
The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects you from discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. This applies to renting, buying, mortgages, appraisals, insurance, and looking for a place to live.
IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
407-801- 4224
850-680-1729 (Spanish)
fairhousing@floridalegal.org
www.floridalegal.org/fairhousing
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.