Fair Housing
Under the federal Fair Housing Act, 'disparate impact' theory means a housing policy is discriminatory if it:
AWas enacted with discriminatory intent
BDisproportionately burdens a protected class even without discriminatory intent✓ Correct
COnly applies to rental housing
DOnly applies if a formal complaint is filed within 30 days
Explanation
Under disparate impact theory (affirmed by the Supreme Court in Texas Dept. of Housing v. Inclusive Communities Project), a housing policy may be challenged as discriminatory if it disproportionately burdens a protected class, even if there was no discriminatory intent. Massachusetts Chapter 151B also recognizes disparate impact claims.
Related Massachusetts Fair Housing Questions
- Under Massachusetts Chapter 151B, a person who has been sexually harassed by their landlord may file a complaint with:
- Under the Fair Housing Act, a real estate agent must show a buyer all properties matching the buyer's search criteria regardless of the buyer's protected class characteristics. Failure to do so is called:
- A Massachusetts landlord advertises an apartment for rent with the phrase 'perfect for young professional couples.' This advertisement potentially violates fair housing laws because it:
- A Massachusetts landlord who requires all applicants to provide their national origin on a rental application is:
- Massachusetts MGL Chapter 151B defines 'reasonable accommodation' in housing as:
- A Massachusetts real estate agent who refuses to work with a buyer because of the buyer's national origin has violated:
- A Massachusetts property management company that refuses to accept Housing Assistance Payment (Section 8) vouchers when rental properties are in Middlesex County has potentially violated:
- Under Massachusetts law, which of the following is a permitted difference in treatment in residential housing?
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