Real Estate

Fair Housing

What it means, who’s protected and the unintentional discrimination

What is fair housing? It’s the right to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination. This applies to anyone involved in the sale and purchase of residential real estate, as well as anyone involved in the renting/leasing of residential real estate. This includes real estate brokers, property managers, landlords, lenders and insurers.

The Fair Housing Act was federally adopted in 1968 as a part of the Civil Rights Act, which was later expanded in 1988 to make illegal discrimination when renting, buying, insuring, obtaining a mortgage, obtaining housing assistance or participating in any other housing-related activities, regardless of a person’s protected class. The protected classes on a federal level are race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and those with a physical or mental disability. The State of Oregon has expanded on the list of protected classes to include marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, and also addresses and makes illegal to discriminate based on one’s source of income. The income sources protected under Oregon State law are Oregon residents who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability benefits. In addition, recipients of unemployment insurance benefits, Section 8 (HUD) vouchers and agency rent checks.

In Oregon, fair housing applies to ALL dwellings. This includes single family homes, apartments, condos, floating homes, retirement housing, assisted living, adult foster care homes, shelters or transitional housing, rent assistance programs and motel rooms.

When considering forms of discrimination, one also needs to beware and consider Disparate Impact (unintentional discrimination). Disparate Impact refers to practices that adversely affect one group of people of a protected characteristic more than another, when there was not the intention or motive to discriminate. Take, for example, a landlord requiring tenants to have full-time employment. This could adversely affect someone with disabilities who is not able to hold full-time employment based on physical limitations, or a single mother who is caring for her two young children.

In terms of real estate, it’s important to note that verbiage in advertisements can fall under the purview of Fair Housing. For example, advertising that states something is walking distance to a place of interest is in fact a discriminatory statement and affects people with disabilities—or perhaps referring to a condo or apartment as a perfect spot for a single executive; thereby discouraging and discriminating based on familial status (a person with children).

Steering is another form of discrimination that violates the Fair Housing Act. It’s the practices of directing one toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race, national origin or familial status. An example of steering would be a real estate broker choosing to not show an African American buyer a certain neighborhood because that neighborhood is predominantly white; thereby limiting the availability of housing choices.

While the Fair Housing Act applies to most housing, there are some exemptions. The Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, single-family housing sales without the use of a broker or licensed representative, and housing operated by private clubs that limits the occupancy to members only.

Awareness is key when it concerns Fair Housing. There are many resources available online when questioning compliance with the Fair Housing Act—or one can reach out to a local real estate industry professional with questions or for clarification.

HOME PRICE ROUNDUP

Photos and listing info from Central Oregon Multiple Listing Service

MID >>

2608 NW Boulder Ridge, Bend, OR 97703 4 beds, 2.5 baths, 2,287 square feet, 0.11 acres lot Built in 2016 $850,000 Listed by Bend Premier Real Estate LLC

<< LOW

20773 North Star Way, Bend, OR 97703 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,518 square feet, 0.28 acres lot Built in 1989 $549,900 Listed by Duke Warner Realty

<< HIGH

61484 Longview Street, Bend, OR 97702 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 4,400 square feet, 0.69 acres lot Built in 1980 $1,295,000 Listed by Coldwell Banker Bain Through a FAN advocate at each school in Central Oregon, Family Access Network is working to help kids flourish in school and in life.

During the 2019-20 school year FAN helped families thrive by connecting them to:

Clothing

3,497 children & parents

School Supplies

2,190 children

Food

3,961 people

Shelter or Housing

1,874 people

Utility Assistance

3,235 people

Health Services

1,105 people

Positive Youth Development

500 people

Jobs

109 people

Call 541-693-5675 or visit familyaccessnetwork.org to learn more

Advocates available via call, text & email

Summer Guide Source Weekly’s Get ready for your Central Oregon Summer!all-out guide to This will be the place to fi nd it ALL!

Music, Events, Shopping, Outdoor Rec, Beer Gardens, Great Food/Drinks and more!

Nothing can beat the summer in Central Oregon – You don’t want to miss this one. Reserve your space in the SUMMER GUIDE!

Ad Deadline: MAY 21 On Stands: MAY 27

advertise@bendsource.com 541.383.0800

MLS#220115644 BEND | 20240 ROCK CANYON

$3,495,000 | 4 BD | 5.5 BA | 4,891 SF • Rare opportunity in Deschutes River Ranch • Single level living with master & 2 en-suites • Barn, shop, and guest quarters • Att. 3-car and det. 4-car with sprinter garage • Neighborhood access to BLM and Deschutes

Jordan Grandlund | Principal Broker | 541.948.5196 Stephanie Ruiz | Broker | ruizgrandlund@cascadesir.com MLS#220117718 BEND | 19215 CARTWRIGHT COURT

$3,495,000 | 4 BD | 6 BA | 4,708 SF • NW modern farmhouse in Tetherow • Steel fireplace, designer tile and fixtures • Gourmet kitchen with Wolf appliances • Firepit and outdoor dining area • 3-car garage with 10’ doors & epoxy floors

Jordan Grandlund | Principal Broker | 541.948.5196 Stephanie Ruiz | Broker | ruizgrandlund@cascadesir.com MLS#220118463 BEND | 65902 RIMROCK COURT

$2,425,000 | 3 BD | 4 BA | 4,045 SF • West facing within Pronghorn Resort • Custom built home with open kitchen • Master suite with spa-like accents • French doors to patios from every room • Built-in BBQ & in-ground spa

Betsey Little | Broker | 541.301.8140 betsey.little@cascadesir.com NEW LISTING

MLS#220118815 BEND | 2039 NW EASTES ST

$1,390,000 | 5 BD |3.5 BA | 3,118 SF

• Two Master Suites • Main Level Master • Industrial Roll-Up Doors • Floating Staircase • Waterfall Quartz Counter Island

Josh & Melanie Maitre | Brokers | 541.480.4186 melanie@themaitregroup.com

MLS#220118251

CRAFTSMAN HOME SLEEPS 12

$1,350,000 | 3-5 BD | 3.5 BA | 4,006 SF • Luxury Living at Aspen Lakes Golf Est. • Vaulted ceiling/stacked stone fireplace • Spacious Chef’s kitchen & breakfast bar • Desirable bedroom/bath downstairs • 3-car garage w/ RV door, craft & family room

Ellen Wood | Broker | 541.588.0033 woode51@msn.com MLS#220115809 BEND | 4 MULTI-FAMILY UNITS

$1,299,900 | BD/BA VARIES | 2,808 SF • Hard to find Westside 4-unit building • 1-car garage, parking spots & street parking • Many recent improvements & upgrades • Terrific neighborhood for walking/biking • Close to Old Mill shops & restaurants

Becky Breeze | Principal Broker | 541.408.1107 becky.breeze@cascadesir.com MLS #220119198 BLACK BUTTE RANCH | GM 218

$795,000| 3 BD | 3 BA | 2,620 SF • Unique multi-level in Black Butte Ranch • Northwest contemporary style • Fireplace in living room • Classic wood finishings throughout • Beautiful outdoor living spaces

Arends Realty Group | Brokers | 541.420.9997 phil.arends@cascadesir.com MLS#220118915 BEND | 62483 EAGLE ROAD

$599,500 | 4 BD | 3 BA | 2,228 SF • Hard to find 4 bed/3 bath w/ bonus room • New appliances, carpet, light fixtures • Entertainment size new cedar deck • Clean, bright, & turn-key ready • Too many updates to list! Come see!

Frank Wood & Stephanie Marshall | Brokers 541.788.1095 | marshallandwood@cascadesir.com

Together We Can Make A Difference

Our caring team of brokers at Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty have deep roots in Central Oregon. Through our dollars and our time, we support the vitality of the places we live, work and play. As a company, we are pleased to support organizations that benefit the communities we love. Please join us in our efforts of giving back.

541.383.7600 | CascadeSothebysRealty.com

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