The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Aboussie Pavilion Apartments, an affordable rental housing provider in St. Louis, executed a voluntary compliance agreement related to its tenant screening process.
Aboussie Pavilion Apartments provides 273 affordable, subsidized units through HUD’s Section 8 program for families with a member who is 62 or older or has a disability. The agreement comes after a HUD compliance review related to non-discrimination in marketing and tenanting procedures.
“Tenant selection policies can create unnecessary barriers that result in illegal discrimination and denials of desperately needed housing,” HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Demetria McCain said in a release. “HUD-funded housing providers must tailor tenant selection policies to avoid discriminating against applicants because of their race, color, and national origin.”
The review was opened after HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity received information indicating participation rates of Black residents were disproportionately low in comparison to the housing market. It revealed discrepancies in the property’s tenant screening practices related to credit history and criminal records, which had a disparate impact on Black applicants.
“We are committed to advancing equity and embedding fairness in our decision-making processes,” McCain said. “We take seriously our mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all, including those who have been historically wronged.”
Under the agreement, Aboussie Pavilion Apartments will provide $156,000 to compensate individuals denied because of issues found by HUD. The housing provider also will create a new waitlist after robust marketing to those least likely to apply; commit a minimum of $10,000 toward advertising, outreach, and website development; revising all policies that include an evaluation of credit or rental history consistent with civil rights laws and HUD’s guidance; and waiving move-in fees for formerly denied applicant who reapply and are admitted.