Posted on 02/07/2002 1:31:45 PM PST by usadave
A landlord in Sebree upped the price on a rental home when she found out the potential renters were Hispanic. And another in the same area was reluctant to rent a mobile home to a Hispanic family.
The families did find other housing, said Sister Rosemary Keough, assistant at Centro Latino. But the Kentucky Fair Housing Council in Louisville says it will check allegations of housing discrimination if called, even if the Hispanic is in the United States illegally.
"If we had that information and we had enough about the landlord, we could send investigators out," said Tony Baize, assistant director of the Kentucky Fair Housing Council in Louisville. "If (the Hispanics) are undocumented, they might fear retribution. But if they aren't comfortable, we can work to get something done without them signing anything."
The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and handicap or disability. The law applies to all people, regardless of legal status.
"What happened to them is a violation of the fair housing laws," said Bill Dixon, director of the Owensboro Human Relations Commission. "The law does not specify the individual's heritage. If they are here and they want to rent, the laws will apply."
Dixon said housing discrimination occurs locally about once every two months.
The incident with the home in Sebree occurred in December, Sister Rosemary said. She had been looking for housing for two families. When she called about the home for rent, she initially was told it would rent for $400 a month with a $200 deposit. But when she told the landlord she represented a Hispanic family, the landlord immediately raised the price to $500 a month with a $500 deposit.
"She said 'You know how they are,'" Sister Rosemary said. "I just told her we wouldn't be renting."
The incident involving the mobile home occurred in October. Sister Rosemary said she thinks the home remains empty.
Sister Fran Wilhelm, director of Centro Latino, said often Hispanic families will rent a home and then invite others to stay with them while they search for another place. And when they vacate a home, they may leave behind clothing they no longer need. Landlords may not want to rent to Hispanics because of these two reasons, Sister Fran said.
When they do rent, they may charge a higher price, said Betsy Morton-Thomas, director of the local branch of the Justice Resource Center. She has fielded complaints from Hispanic families about being charged high rents and landlords who don't keep up with repairs.
"Some people are taking advantage of their lack of knowledge," she said.
Hispanics families may not want to complain fearing a risk of deportation. But Baize said he has worked with illegal immigrants before, and information on their status is not forwarded to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
"It's on the rise," he said of the complaints. "We hear about it more, but unfortunately, we don't hear about it from folks who need an investigation."
The local commission and the Louisville fair housing council will investigate any complaints of alleged discrimination. The agencies can send in testers to see who landlords will rent to.
If it is determined that discrimination has occurred, the landlord can be fined, Dixon said.
"Racism and discrimination is alive and well in all areas of our lives, including housing," Dixon said.
What the landlord should do is rent to the illegal immigrants and then call the INS the next day and say "I know where a couple of illegal immigrants are living. Come and get them!"
Who pays the rent then? Sure, the first month's rent and security deposit might be paid, but it would still be a pain in the gluteous maximus. Now, if the INS would pay a bounty for turning in illegal aliens.... hmmm.
What makes you think the INS are going to do anything about it?
Oh come on, let me enjoy my fantasy!
Your argument is based on logic and common sense. I guess that means that you are not a politician!
Absolutely! It is like the difference between night and day.
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