It is necessary to intend to discriminate to be guilty of discrimination.

It is necessary to intend to discriminate to be guilty of discrimination.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Depends on circumstances
• D. Not specified

Answer: (B)

Discrimination under federal fair housing law can be proven without showing an intent to discriminate. The Fair Housing Act covers not only deliberate acts of discrimination but also policies or practices that have a discriminatory effect on protected classes (disparate impact). This means a landlord, lender, or housing seller can be liable if a rule or decision disproportionately excludes a protected group and there isn’t a legitimate, non-discriminatory justification that cannot be achieved in a less discriminatory way. For example, an income or credit requirement that, in practice, screens out a large portion of a minority group can be discriminatory in its effect even if there was no intent to exclude. Because the focus is on impact and whether the practice serves a valid objective without unnecessary exclusion, the statement is false.

Discrimination under federal fair housing law can be proven without showing an intent to discriminate. The Fair Housing Act covers not only deliberate acts of discrimination but also policies or practices that have a discriminatory effect on protected classes (disparate impact). This means a landlord, lender, or housing seller can be liable if a rule or decision disproportionately excludes a protected group and there isn’t a legitimate, non-discriminatory justification that cannot be achieved in a less discriminatory way. For example, an income or credit requirement that, in practice, screens out a large portion of a minority group can be discriminatory in its effect even if there was no intent to exclude. Because the focus is on impact and whether the practice serves a valid objective without unnecessary exclusion, the statement is false.