CBS Radio reported today that HUD is reporting higher levels of housing discrimination complaints nationwide than in recent years. A HUD spokesperson stated that many such complaints have come from the area hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. HUD declared its intent to crack down on violations of Fair Housing laws and to engage in greater enforcement efforts dealing with Internet advertising that contains discriminatory language.
Elaborating on the report, the spokesperson commented about Websites which post tenant vacancies and which occasionally include housing advertising language which discriminates against the elderly, families with children and minorities. She commented that HUD is aware of these sites and said "We're coming after you".
Just five months ago, a survey by the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center on the subject of housing discrimination was released. In preparing the survey, the agency sent "testers" to inquire about rental vacancies at forty properties in the New Orleans area.
The survey found African-American renters received less favorable treatment than whites in over fifty percent of tester inquiries. The Center plans to bring lawsuits against violators.
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