The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that it is issuing a final 83-page rule to formalize the national standard for determining which housing practices violate the Fair Housing Act.
HUD has interpreted the Fair Housing Act to prohibit housing practices with an unjustified discriminatory effect if those acts actually or predictably result in a disparate impact on a group of persons or create, increase, reinforce, or perpetuate segregated housing patterns because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
According to a HUD statement, the rule provides ‘clarity and consistency for individuals, businesses and government entities subject to the Fair Housing Act. HUD anticipates the rule also will make it easier for individuals and organizations covered by the law to understand their responsibilities and comply with the law.’
The final rule is now online.