5. Fair Housing Laws

Question 1

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Answer 1

A federal law to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities by mandating equal access to jobs, public accommodations, government services, public transportation, and telecommunications.

Question 2

Blockbusting

Answer 2

The illegal practice of inducing homeowners to sell their properties by making representations regarding the entry or prospective entry of minority persons into the neighborhood.

Question 3

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Answer 3

The first and primary law guaranteeing equal rights to all U.S. citizens; prohibits all discrimination based on race or color.

Question 4

Code of Ethics

Answer 4

An agreement to which all REALTORS® must subscribe and that holds the members to high standards of conduct.

Question 5

Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)

Answer 5

The federal law that requires federally regulated lenders to describe the geographic market area they serve. Deposits from that area are to be reinvested in that area whenever practical.

Question 6

Discriminatory Housing Practices

Answer 6

An act that is unlawful under the Fair Housing Act or other fair housing law.

Question 7

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

Answer 7

A federal law to ensure that funds are available to qualified loan applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or receipt of public assistance.

Question 8

Fair Housing Act of 1968

Answer 8

The federal law that prevents discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, or national origin; amended in 1974 to include sex and in 1988 to include handicap and familial status in the protected categories.

Question 9

Familial Status

Answer 9

One or more persons younger than 18 being domiciled with a parent or other person having legal custody of such individual; the designee of such parent or other person having legal custody through written permission.

Question 10

Handicap

Answer 10

A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities; a record of such an impairment; being regarded as having such an impairment.

Question 11

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

Answer 11

A federal law that prevents redlining or denial of funds to certain areas; requires that public notices be posted by housing lenders.

Question 12

Protected Classes

Answer 12

Characteristics of people or factors that cannot be targeted for discrimination and harassment.

Question 13

Redlining

Answer 13

The illegal practice of a lending institution’s denying loans or restricting their number for certain areas of a community.

Question 14

Residential Real Estate-Related Transaction

Question 15

Steering

Answer 15

The illegal practice of channeling homeseekers to particular areas, either to maintain the homogeneity of an area or to change the character of an area to create a speculative situation.

Question 16

Texas Fair Housing Act

Answer 16

A “substantially equivalent” fair housing law that allows complaints to be heard by the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division (TWCCRD) or in state courts.

Question 17

Texas Real Estate Commission Canon of Professional Ethics and Conduct

Answer 17

A code of ethics, adopted by the Texas Real Estate Commission, that establishes a basis for professional conduct of licensed real estate brokers and sales agents and that has the force and effect of the law.

Question 18

Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division (TWCCRD)

Answer 18

!e organization authorized to receive, investigate, and seek to conciliate complaints of violations of the Texas Fair Housing Act.

Question 19

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Answer 19

Federal agency that administers the Fair Housing Act of 1968.