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Sometimes there’s a thin line between work and real life. For one John Hopkins University professor, after teaching lessons to students about redlining, or the act of refusing a loan or insurance to someone because they live in an area deemed to be a “poor financial risk,” he is experiencing housing discrimination himself. Professor Nathan Connolly teaches the history of redlining in America by day. Unfortunately, by night, his own family has become the target of housing discrimination, according to a report from The New York Times. Although the professor and his wife Dr. Shani Mott were optimistic about the value of their home increasing after conducting renovations that totaled in the amount of $35,000, on top of another $5,000 for a new tankless water heater, the couple was met with an underwhelming offer.
The current real estate market has been a whirlwind for most, but it has become even more of a hassle for Black and Latinx families. According to a recent report from Zillow, approximately nine out of ten renters paid a security deposit for rental units. Of that number, Black and Latinx renters paid a higher amount than white renters — $750 compared to $600. The findings further revealed that “Renters of color paid a security deposit more often (93%) than white renters (85%).” Security deposits aren’t the only higher fees renters of color are forced to pay. Application fees are $50 on average, and applicants of color apply to more units than their white counterparts. Last year, the average white renter submitted two applications for rental units, while Black and Latinx renters submitted up to three applications before securing a home. Of those who reported, renters of color submit five or more applications in their search, which increases the total amount of application fees...
Imagine finding out that you’re being laid off via Zoom. Sadly, this is the reality for one group of employees. According to Inc., shortly after nearly 900 people were laid off through the video teleconferencing platform, Zoom, an additional 3,000 employees have been laid off. The company, Better.com, offers customers a one-click solution to the entire home-buying process including scouting an agency, securing a mortgage and even helping them to shop for insurance. Despite making the lives of its customers easier, some of its former employees might note that their experience has been the complete opposite.
Father-son business partners Osei and Nadir Rubie are developing a new affordable housing project amid the U.S. housing crisis. According to Shoppe Black , the Rubies closed a $30 million real estate deal through their title insurance agency, National Standard Abstract (NSA) , one of the largest Black-owned companies in the industry. “In our five-plus years of operation, a common question posed to us is ‘how do we engage National Standard Abstract to provide title insurance for our project or transaction?’ As an MBE NYC Certified firm, our credentials are inclusive of City-funded commercial real estate projects as well as market-rate development projects,” said Nadir Rubie. Overseen by CB Emmanuel Realty, LLC, the project will be a seven-story residential building with 71 units— 55 studios, 14 one-bedroom, and two two-bedroom apartments—in Brooklyn, New York’s Brownsville neighborhood. The residences will be economic-friendly and provide upscale amenities including tenant and bike...
As the U.S. housing market rebounds from a pandemic-related slowdown, there is still evidence of housing discrimination that continues to limit homeownership and rental opportunities for consumers of color and other marginalized groups. It’s necessary to take stock of how far housing policy has gone to outlaw discriminatory practices, and what work remains to be finished. What is housing discrimination? The Fair Housing Act of 1968 explained What is redlining in real estate? 3 ways to strengthen U.S. housing discrimination laws What is housing discrimination? Housing discrimination is any prejudiced actions against a consumer who is buying a home , renting a home or attempting to participate in other housing-related endeavors. Discrimination can be based on the following characteristics: Color or race Disability Familial status Nationality Religion Sex People who identify as LGBTQ aren’t explicitly protected by federal law from housing discrimination. However, several states have...
Over the past few years, big tech companies like Facebook and Amazon have come under fire for discriminatory artificial intelligence. Now, U.S. lawmakers are presenting a bill that will make tech companies check their algorithms for biases. Drafted by Sens. Cory Booker and Ron Wyden, the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2019 calls for the Federal Trade Commission to require companies collecting and sharing data for the purpose of algorithms to conduct impact assessments on their privacy and AI tools. The law notes that algorithms can contribute to and amplify “unfair, biased, or discriminatory decisions” that impact consumers. For now, the bill is aimed at big tech companies and data brokers. It would only apply to companies who are valued at more than $50 million or who have access to more than 1 million consumers’ data. “Computers are increasingly involved in the most important decisions affecting Americans’ lives — whether or not someone can buy a home, get a job or even go to...
Facebook has gotten away with a lot — from continuous privacy breaches to questionable advertising systems — but it seems the government’s patience is wearing thin. Today, the Department of Housing and Urban development hit Facebook with a lawsuit , saying the social media giant participates in housing discrimination. HUD’s actions are a follow up to a complaint filed in August 2018 , that stated there was evidence to believe Facebook violated the Fair Housing Act. According to a press release , HUD alleges that Facebook’s ad system unlawfully discriminates by barring certain people from seeing listings. In addition, HUD says that Facebook gathers data about users, which it then uses to figure out which of its users can view housing-related ads. “Facebook is discriminating against people based upon who they are and where they live,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in a statement. “Using a computer to limit a person’s housing choices can be just as discriminatory as slamming a door in...