Although the federal Fair Housing Act was enacted over 50 years ago, housing discrimination continues to be a problem in the country. Every year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) investigates thousands of housing discrimination complaints based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. This course reviews Virginia and federal fair housing law protections, discusses key characteristics of protected classes, and explores activities that constitute fair housing violations including advertising. A review of court cases in which discrimination occurred will give the licensee a better sense of discriminatory actions and how to prevent discrimination in their real estate practice.

The course also explains how federal laws help prevent discrimination in real estate lending transactions. It concludes with a discussion of business practices that real estate professionals can develop to ensure compliance with both the Virginia Fair Housing Law and the federal Fair Housing Act and to grow their business by embracing diversity.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• explain the history and importance of the Fair Housing Act and how it is applied today
• identify and define protected classes under federal and Virginia law
• recognize how to reduce or prevent discrimination in the housing industry
• discuss fair housing compliance and penalties for noncompliance
• evaluate advertising according to fair housing guidelines and avoid discriminatory advertising
• recognize prohibited acts concerning the rental and sale of housing
• identify unlawful practices in selling, brokering, and appraisal of residential real estate
• define several types of lending discrimination
• identify key concepts of the Fair Housing Act Design Manual
• ·name accessibility requirements for multifamily units
• recall sound practices in five key areas of property management
• describe the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Justice (DOJ) enforcement practices
• recognize the benefits of incorporating diversity in your real estate business

Virginia real estate brokers and salespersons