Work/Life / Fair Housing
By Jason Walsh Housing discrimination in the North Bay
L andlords in Sonoma and Marin counties regularly California (FHANC), a nonprofit based in San Rafael, was released Dec. 18 and showed that 58% percent of the North Bay landlords investigated practiced some sort of housing discrimination against renters with families, and over 30% discriminated against Latino renters. About 15% of landlords investigated discriminated against both, according to the report. discriminate against Latinos and renters with families, according to a recent investigation by local fair-housing watchdogs. The report by Fair Housing Advocates of Northern
The Solano County tests showed the lowest levels of discrimination, with evidence of familial status and national origin discrimination at 25% and 23.5% respectively. According to FHANC, tests at “large” properties of more than 50 units showed “significantly less evidence of discrimination” at 21% than those conducted at “small” and “medium” properties, which were 72% and 67%, respectively. In announcing the results of the investigation, FHANC Executive Director Caroline Peattie said that while housing discrimination has been outlawed for decades, studies like this show that Latino families continue to experience discrimination as a barrier to housing choice—a barrier that’s further compounded when they have children. “It’s clear that more enforcement actions are needed, as well as increased education and outreach to property owners and
The investigation in the two counties focused on 40 landlords—20 in Sonoma County and 20 in Marin—and was carried out from January through April 2023. Another 20 landlords were investigated in Solano County during that time span. As part of the investigation, trained pairs of testers—one Latino and one white non- Latino—posed as potential renters with children and called to inquire about the availability of listed rental properties. FHANC then
managers,” said Peattie. “When housing providers are willing to openly state their discriminatory housing policies, even in writing, that suggests the likelihood that at least some are unaware of their legal obligations. This really points to the need for increased education and
compared the experiences of the testers to determine whether disparities existed in the way each tester was treated and whether they were offered or informed about different housing opportunities, policies, terms and amenities. According to federal fair housing law, discriminating against households with children or expressing a preference for households without children is considered familial status discrimination. Similarly prohibited, discrimination against Latino renters is considered national origin discrimination. Tests conducted in Marin County revealed the highest incidence of discrimination, with 67% of tests revealing at least some evidence of discrimination, FHANC reported. Fifty-three percent of the tests conducted in Marin County revealed evidence of familial status discrimination. While Marin tests revealed the most discrimination overall, tests in Sonoma County revealed the greatest evidence of national origin discrimination at 35%, with familial discrimination at 40%.
outreach.” The report makes a number of recommendations,
including disseminating the report to North Bay officials and the general public; monitoring the sites where there was an indication of differential treatment and taking possible enforcement action; training private and public housing providers and working with them to ensure they understand the law; and spreading the word to potential targets of discrimination. “It’s really difficult to find any kind of affordable housing in the Bay Area now,” said Peattie. “This report points out how much more difficult it is for single Latinx mothers. We need to redouble our efforts to make sure housing providers not only understand the law but comply with it and start removing barriers for families with children and particularly Latinx families.” For more information or to report potential housing discrimination, contact FHANC at fhanc@fairhousingnorcal.org or 415-457-5025, ext. 101.
February 2024
NorthBaybiz 17
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