2024 Fair Housing Highlights and Compliance Essentials for Collections and Evictions

Session 1 - In Case You Missed It: The Biggest Fair Housing Stories of 2024 and What You Need To Do About Them!

Live Date - November 12, 2024

Time - 1 PM ET

Duration - 60 Mins

Speaker - Doug Chasick

Webinar Description

Warning: If you're not a big fan of change, 2025 is not going to be a fun year! Regardless of the results of the elections in November, it is guaranteed that how we comply with fair housing will undergo major changes.

Right now, in various courtrooms around the country, attorneys are arguing for or against enforcing disparate impact theory, implementing the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing requirements, creating additional protected classes, banning criminal background checks, not allowing the use of minimum income, credit, employment history or landlord history in resident selection, the categorization of legitimate fees as "junk fees" and allowing all residents to have pets.

In addition, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission have joined HUD and the Department of Justice in looking at our operations. Oh, and did I mention that recruitment of both volunteer and paid fair housing testers is at an all-time high?

Join us as we review the most impactful stories, cases, penalties and developments that will impact how you effectively practice fair housing compliance – and what to do about it!

Webinar Objectives

• An increasing number of multifamily professionals are becoming defensive about the apparent “weaponization” and “politicization” of fair housing compliance. We’ll review recent HUD/DOJ guidance and enforcement actions and discuss appropriate strategies to minimize risk.
• The increase in money allocated to fair housing enforcement coupled with the increase in the number of fair housing testers has created lots of stress with front-line staff. We’ll share some ways to lower the stress level.
• We’ll look at the recent involvement of the FTC and FCC regarding the use of credit checking services, uniform internet access, algorithms and revenue management software and how the Disparate Impact Theory has driven all of these efforts – and discuss how to effectively and efficiently run our business while maintaining fair housing compliance.

Webinar Highlights

• The increasing use of Disparate Impact Theory to challenge everything we use to evaluate potential residents and what you need to know about the process
• The war on algorithms and where background checks and the entire application process are headed
• How to manage leasing and operations with the ever-increasing number of protected classes
• How the crackdown on so-called “Crime Free” and “Nuisance Laws” are making day to day management more difficult and how to react.
• How the increase in marijuana legalization creates confusion and potential liability and strategies to adopt to minimize disruption and risk.
• What you need to know about the increase in forced acceptance of Housing Choice Vouchers and what your options are.
• And whatever else happens between when this was written and the date of our session!

Session 2 - Fair Housing Compliance Basics for Collections and Evictions

Pre-recorded Webinar (Instant Access)

Duration - 60 Mins

Speaker - Doug Chasick

Webinar Description

This fast-paced 60-minute session is designed to equip Multifamily Professionals with the knowledge necessary to maintain fair housing compliance concerning collections and evictions. In today's dynamic and litigious environment, ensuring adherence to fair housing laws is essential to minimize the possibility of being named in a fair housing compliant or federal lawsuit.

We’ll start with a brief review of the fundamental principles of fair housing compliance and examine how to avoid discriminatory policies and practices, especially those that could be considered as having a disparate impact on certain protected classes. We’ll explore typical state and local statutes about notice language and periods as well as what constitutes lawful delivery of notices.

Since effective and compliant communication and documentation are an important component of all fair housing compliance programs, we’ll review what elements are necessary and what to avoid when communicating about collections and consequences.

Whether you're a seasoned property manager or new to the field, this webinar will provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your fair housing compliance efforts. Don't miss this opportunity to sharpen your skills and safeguard your property against potential legal challenges.

Webinar Objectives

• An overview of the Fair Housing Act’s key provisions related to collections and evictions, including prohibited discrimination practices.
• Identify common discriminatory practices in collections and evictions and how to avoid them.
• Examine the concept of disparate impact and its implications for fair housing compliance and the strategies for implementing fair and effective rent collection policies.
• How to address late payments, stipulations, payment plans, and communication tactics while respecting tenants' rights.
• How to navigate the eviction process while adhering to fair housing laws and regulations.
• Understanding eviction notices, legal proceedings, and documentation requirements.
• Managing requests for accommodations related to collections or eviction proceedings,  while ensuring compliance with fair housing requirements when accommodating tenants with disabilities.

Webinar Highlights

• Overview of Fair Housing Laws: An in-depth examination of the Fair Housing Act and its implications for collections and evictions in the apartment sector.
• Prohibited Practices: Understanding discrimination prohibited by fair housing laws and how they relate to collections and evictions.
• Disparate Impact: Identify and change policies that may create an unintentional discriminatory effect on certain protected classes.
• Best Practices for Collections: Strategies for handling rent collection processes in a manner consistent with fair housing principles.
• Eviction Procedures: Guidelines for conducting evictions in compliance with fair housing regulations, including necessary documentation and procedural requirements.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Addressing requests for accommodations or modifications related to collections or eviction proceedings.

Who Should Attend

On-site and multi-site personnel including Regional/Area Managers, Community Managers, Leasing Managers/Professionals, Maintenance/Service Managers/Supervisors, Training and HR Professionals