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Nancy Haynes of the Fair Housing Center told 24 Hour News 8 the woman has every right to seek and live with a Christian roommate -- but advertising for it publicly, even on a church bulletin board, violates federal law.
"She can be a Christian and she can even use that as a criteria for who she wants to rent to. She just can't state that. Because to state that is a violation of the Fair Housing Act," she said. "There are certain exceptions that apply. She can actually, in practice, not rent to a non-Christian. But she can't make the statement. The statement alone is a violation of the act. What she can do in practice she can't make a statement about."
Haynes said the Fair Housing Center began investigating after someone in the congregation, who was offended, filed a complaint.
This is looking more and more like government run amok, but hey, it makes me all the more anxious for bureaucrats like this to run our health care system.
Really? A member of the CHURCH was offended? Well, that person is carnal and I would so much as say that they are backslid sitting on a pew!
Really? A member of the CHURCH was offended? Well, that person is carnal and I would so much as say that they are backslid sitting on a pew!
LOL..A christian was offended that another christian was looking for a christian roommate and put an ad on a christian bulletin board in a christian church ......
Exactly. Violations of Fair Housing Laws are not taken lightly and are some of the most difficult of which to be proven innocent once accused. A pedofile would have a better chance of having a case dismissed. HUD really is that tough!
I think it was Mark Twain that said "If the law says that, then the law in an ass". If the reporting in this case is correct, it's a perfect example.
So, would advertising that requests a non-smoking, non-drinking roommate would be in violation of the same rules? This is a roommate, presumably sharing the same living space. This isn't political correctness run amoke, it's abuse of power.
Is the state of Michigan expanding the federal fair housing act?
According to HUD: 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:
Refuse to rent or sell housing
Refuse to negotiate for housing
Make housing unavailable
Deny a dwelling
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
Provide different housing services or facilities
Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.
So according to that, a woman renting a room in her house cannot specifiy a female roommate? How about refusing rental to oh, say a convicted criminal?
Given that this is in Michigan, it would be interesting to look on the BBs in the Dearborn mosques and see if there are any ads looking for Islamic roommates...
LOL..A christian was offended that another christian was looking for a christian roommate and put an ad on a christian bulletin board in a christian church ......
America..the nation of easily offended people.
Nah, it's just that christians can't even agree with each other what's what, much less with anyone else!
I believe that the state must investigate formal housing discrimination complaints. A private fair housing group complained and the state must follow up.
Well that may be true, but it should be one short lived investigation.
Nah, it's just that christians can't even agree with each other what's what, much less with anyone else!
You have a good point. That is why calling some groups a "cult" isn't going to be an accurate description. I heard someone say, "They call this a cult? They need to come in here and see how much we disagree on some things." LOL!
Note that the complaint is from a private organization called the "Fair Housing Center of West Michigan". The state did not initiate the complaint. I do not know what process is when the state gets such a complaint. Can they just ignore it or does it require a formal hearing?
My understanding is that in most jurisdictions "looking for a roommate" does not fall under fair housing/anti-discrimination legislation.. and it shouldn't. It's a pain that she shouldn't have to go through but I'm 100% confident it will resolve in her favor.
If what you say is true then she has nothing to worry about when she goes to court.
LOL..A christian was offended that another christian was looking for a christian roommate and put an ad on a christian bulletin board in a christian church ......
Again this is much ado about nothing because she is CLEARLY excluded from the act. You can try to spin this into some bigger story or as some incident with broader meaning but it don't! PERIOD!
CHAPTER 3. EXCLUSIONS
564.301 Exclusions. [M.S.A. 26.1300(301)]
Sec. 301. Section 201 does not apply:
(a) To the rental of a housing accommodation in a building which contains housing
accommodations for not more than 2 families living independently of each other, if the owner or
lessor or a member of his family resides in 1 of the housing accommodations.
(b) To the rental of a room or rooms in a single family dwelling by the owner or lessor if he or a
member of his family resides therein.
(c) To the sale or rental by the owner or lessor of a housing accommodation in a building which
contains housing accommodations for not more than 2 families living independently of each
other which was not in any manner listed or publicly advertised for sale or rental.
(d) To the rental of a housing accommodation for not to exceed 12 months by the owner or lessor
where it was occupied by him and maintained as his home for at least 3 months immediately
preceding occupancy by the tenant and is temporarily vacated while maintaining legal residence.
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