Brent has such a kind and gentle way of telling me that the titles for my blogs are really crummy.  He never actually says that, mind you, but I get the message.  So I am really trying this time…

We left off on my last posting (with the exciting title of Neologisms and Fair Housing - Part One – inspired by The Washington Post, which kind of makes me see Brent’s point) discussing additional fair housing protected classes.  So, here we go again…

What protection has to be offered to someone who believes in Frisbee-tarianism?  First you will need to know that creed, often defined as a sincerely held belief, may be protected (such as in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN).  So even if a belief falls outside of mainstream religion, there may be protection.  Thus (hey, Brent, is it OK to say thus in a blog?), if someone sincerely believes that when they die their soul flies up on the roof and gets stuck there, than that Frisbee-tarian is likely protected.

Is this the same idea for someone who believes in Karmageddon?  Yes, if someone sincerely believes that, like, if everybody sends off these really bad vibes, right, and then, like, the Earth will explode and that’s, like, a serious bummer, right? – that person may have the protection of creed.

Do we have to accept Section 8 vouchers?  The answer is “it depends”!  (I love that answer, it works so well for lawyers.)  It depends on whether there is state or local “source of income” protection (meaning that all income of a prospect must be considered toward the rental criteria).  If source of income protection has been defined by law or court cases to include Section 8 monies, which is the case in Chicago and New Jersey, then you will have to accept the vouchers.

I have a prospect who is not blind, but he has a guide dog!  Since he is not disabled, do I have to accept this animal?  Those who handle or train guide dogs do have protections in some areas, such as Pennsylvania and Georgia.  So the answer may be “yes”.  Besides, don’t you think our industry should consider allowing this, even when it is not the law? We should support those who invest their time, energy and heart in the training of service animals to assist others who have disabilities.

I don’t want to rent to people who live in sin by not being married.  Can I turn them away?  Once again, it depends.  If marital status has become protected in your area, and depending on court cases, you may find that the fair housing rights of your prospects outweigh your rights to deny housing, even if that conflicts with your religious beliefs.

Is an oyster protected?  If rather than being a shellfish, the oyster is someone who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms (including, “oy, vey!”), this person may be Jewish, so religious protection may be in play here. 

Those of us who follow fair housing cases are so aware that some people continue to exist in the bozone  (that substance surrounding stupid people that stops information from penetrating, and which, unfortunately shows little sign of breaking down in the near future).  But you are not counted in that population, as you have read your way through a fair housing article with the intent to learn and do things right.  And now you have learned about “neologisms” – new words – and I thank the Washington Post for gathering those neologisms that I have shared with you here.