On Tuesday December 13, 2011 Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence Inc. (HOPE) filed several Fair Housing Act lawsuits against condo associations and real estate agencies in Broward County Florida. The lawsuits were filed as a reminder to those named as defendants that it is illegal to discriminate against children. HOPE is attempting to draw attention to communities that are in violation of the Fair Housing Act, a federal law preventing landlords from discriminating against potential renters.
The lawsuits were filed after HOPE completed an investigation involving several HOPE employees acting as potential rental applicants. During the investigation HOPE employees found discrimination online in several rental ads. Employees also collected additional evidence during meetings with prospective landlords and by documenting several phone conversations.
Some of the defendants of the lawsuit have sharply criticized the lawsuit and the methods used to collect evidence. Individuals named who were acting members of the home owners association or condo board have explained that some the online ads being cited were placed by private property owners. The attorney representing Embassy Condominium Apartments, Robert Rubinstein, has stated that the association did not know the property owner in question was planning to rent his unit and therefor had no knowledge of the possibly discriminating language that was used.
Another defendant, Chip Rowand, has also criticized HOPE and the lawsuits. Included in the lawsuit because his name was found in an ad prohibiting children under the age of 12 from living in a property, Rowand claims he never saw the ad. Explaining that he was not responsible for the text, and the ad was automatically listed on several websites, Rowand stated his company would never knowingly discriminate against anyone.
Though the defendants are outraged by what they feel is a crusade, HOPE president and CEO Keenya Robertson strongly believes that anyone providing housing should understand the federal laws.