Religion

FAIR HOUSING AND RELIGION

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WHAT IS HOUSING DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF RELIGION?
Tenants are protected against religious discrimination whether they consider themselves to be members of a particular religion or none at all. This prohibition covers instances of overt discrimination against members of a particular religion as well as less direct actions, such as zoning ordinances designed to limit the use of private homes as a place of worship. Landlords also cannot take legal action against tenants or penalize them in any way because they disapprove of their religious involvement or affiliation
Most advertisements that specify preference or restrictions based on religion are also illegal.
 

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE

• Prioritizes applicants on their waiting list based on religion

• Sets different rents for tenants based on religion

• Prohibits the display of religious items such as a mezuzah

• Steers tenants of a certain religion to apartments in one area of their building

• Prioritizes repair requests based on a tenant’s religion

• Makes exceptions to rules or offers amenities only to tenants of certain religions

• Considers a tenant’s religion before pursuing eviction

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ARE THERE EXCEPTIONS

The Act does contain a limited exception that allows non-commercial housing operated by a religious organization to reserve such housing to persons of the same religion. However, the residency in the buildings must have a purpose other than money-making. The laws also require that, in order to use this exception, religion cannot restrict membership on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
The laws against religious discrimination also make an exception for a home in which the landlord resides and rents out only one room (however, it is still illegal to discriminate based on race or national origin or to make discriminatory statements in advertising). 
 
If you think you have been the victim of housing discrimination because of your religious involvement or affiliation. Please contact us for assistance.

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