A Law that Ziggy would be proud of.

by SamCogar Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:27 am

Michigan Woman Faces Civil Rights Complaint for Seeking a Christian Roommate

A civil rights complaint has been filed against a woman in Grand Rapids
, Mich., who posted an advertisement at her church last July seeking a Christian roommate.

The ad "expresses an illegal preference for a Christian roommate, thus excluding people of other faiths,” according to the complaint filed by the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan.

"It's a violation to make, print or publish a discriminatory statement," Executive Director Nancy Haynes told Fox News. "There are no exemptions to that."

Haynes said the unnamed 31-year-old woman’s case was turned over to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Depending on the outcome of the case, she said, the woman could face several hundreds of dollars in fines and “fair housing training so it doesn’t happen again.”

Harold Core, director of public affairs with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, told the Grand Rapids Press that the Fair Housing Act prevents people from publishing an advertisement stating their preference of religion, race or handicap with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/10/22/civil-rights-complaint-filed-christian-roommate-advertisement/?test=latestnews

by Aaron Sat Oct 23, 2010 8:36 am

Quite simply, this is a load of horse crap.

by ziggy Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:34 pm

Damn. I must be getting senile. I agree with Aaron on this one.

by **SheikBen** Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:10 pm

no Ziggy, I think rather the left has found its "line" with you. The right finds its line with me from time to time. I think the difference is that the more wacky elements of the left, at least at the moment, have more sway in domestic affairs than the more wacky elements of the right.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 7:18 am

Spoke about this in the other thread on this subject.

You can't discriminate against a possible renter based upon religion.

Change the law if you don't like it. We know Willy isn't keen on the Fair Housing Act.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:23 am

There's nothing in the constitution that says you can't discriminate all you want if you're not taking federal or state dollars and any law that states otherwise is clearly unconstitutional.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:32 am

There's nothing in the constitution that says you can't discriminate all you want if you're not taking federal or state dollars and any law that states otherwise is clearly unconstitutional.

Never said there was.

Not all of our laws are codified by the COTUS, either.

The fact remains that discrimination in housing based upon religion IS illegal.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:56 am

Not if federal or state dollars are not accepted.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:00 am

Not if federal or state dollars are not accepted.

You are wrong. Better research the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:12 am

I have. I'm not.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:30 am

I have. I'm not.

You haven't because you are wrong.

wiki page(linky)

In the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap: (from the HUD website).

In no place does it say "if you take federal or state dollars".

I won't hold my breath for you to admit you might be mistaken.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:33 am

Where in that link does it state that if you reject anyone housing, you have to give a reason?

As I said, I've done my research and I'm not mistaken on what I'm stating.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:41 am

As I said, I've done my research and I'm not mistaken on what I'm stating.

You clearly have not if you think that you can deny someone housing based on their religion, as you state"if federal or state dollars are not accepted".

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:44 am

You didn't answer my question. Where does it state in your link that you have to give a reason for declining someone housing. If you find that, you'll see that I am not mistaken on what I am stating.

Happy hunting.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:48 am

You didn't answer my question. Where does it state in your link that you have to give a reason for declining someone housing. If you find that, you'll see that I am not mistaken on what I am stating.

You have to be able to give a reason if someone sues you. The only reason they could sue you is because DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RELIGION IS ILLEGAL.

What I want to know is why you kept bringing "accepting state or federal dollars" into it.

I know why, because you were mistaken about landlord's rights.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:55 am

Are you sure about that? Are you 100% sure that a private landlord has to answer questions to the extent that they would have to prove they did not discriminate if they take no HUD money?

I would suggest you read the code.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:56 am

Are you sure about that? Are you 100% sure that a private landlord has to answer questions to the extent that they would have to prove they did not discriminate if they take no HUD money?

Yes.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:04 pm

You posted the link. Prove me wrong.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:10 pm

You can't read: from the HUD site:

In the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:... .

It doesn't get any more plain than that, your dissembling aside.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:16 pm

FYI, my question is addressed in the law. As I said, prove me wrong.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:19 pm

FYI, my question is addressed in the law. As I said, prove me wrong.

Just what I thought, you have nothing. The law says that NO LANDLORD is allowed to discriminate based upon religion. Crystal. Clear.

Show me where a landlord is immune to prosecution for discrimination if they don't take government monies.

I have made my case, else this woman in Grand Rapids wouldn't be in trouble.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:22 pm

There you go putting words in my mouth again. As I said, what I'm claim is addressed in the law. Once again, prove me wrong.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:40 pm

It is unclear to me what you claim, Aaron.

You seem to imply that landlords that to not take public money are immune to prosecution in cases of discrimination because they don't have to justify themselves.

If someone brings a complaint against you, you DO have to justify your actions or be found guilty.

From findlaw: If You Have Experienced Race Discrimination in Housing

There is a process established for individuals who feel they have suffered race discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. HUD has a Housing Discrimination Complaint Form available to individuals who wish to register a complaint against a property owner. This form is available from a local HUD office (get more information here). The complaint should include your name and address, the name and address of the person your complaint is against, the address of the property involved, a brief description of the alleged violations, and the date on which the violation occurred.

After the complaint is received, HUD will determine whether your state or local agency has the same powers as HUD, and refer the case to the local agency if they are competent to act on the complaint. If HUD retains the case, they will conduct an investigation and determine whether there are grounds to believe that the Fair Housing Act has been violated. If reasonable grounds exist, HUD will try to reach an agreement with the violator. If an agreement can be reached, HUD will not pursue further action.

Doesn't seem like your assertion that landlords that don't take public money are immune to prosecution by just refusing to answer questions is justified.

by Aaron Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:04 pm

Your post deals primarily with HUD approved rentals and less so with private landlords. There are many provisions that HUD landlords must comply with that private landlords do not. If you knew anything about HUD, you would understand that.

One of those differences is that if a federally funded housing unit declines to rent to someone, they by law must provide a written explanation regarding their decison of refusal to rent. No such provision exist for a private landlord so while anyone can file a complaint, the burden of proof lies with the one making the accusation, not the defendent.

by TerryRC Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:11 pm

Your post deals primarily with HUD approved rentals and less so with private landlords. There are many provisions that HUD landlords must comply with that private landlords do not. If you knew anything about HUD, you would understand that.

The law applies to ALL landlords. HUD is the initial go-to for ALL complaints.

Just show me where private landlords are exempt from discrimination laws and I'll agree that you are right, that private landlords can discriminate all they like.

Good luck.

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