Apartments Allegedly Discriminate Against Deaf And Hard Of Hearing
January 10 2014
"Are you listening now?" is the name of a national investigation into discrimination against renters who are deaf or hard of hearing. The report says too many apartment complexes hang up on deaf callers, don't give them as much information and generally make it harder for them to find a place to live.
"I think it's widespread," said Kathy Stark with the Austin Tenant's Council. She says hard of hearing or deaf renters have a much tougher time finding an apartment than renters without a disability.
"Five times harder, 10 times harder," said Stark.
On Thursday, the National Fair Housing Alliance released a nationwide investigation the agency says proves that point. During tests at major apartment complexes the NFHA reportedly found problems in 57 cities in 20 states. From that investigation eight housing discrimination complaints were filed against eight major apartment complexes and management companies.
One of the complaints names Austin apartment complex Bell Austin Southwest at 3621 West Slaughter Lane. The complaint claims testers went to the complex two times. During the first test it's alleged the agent quoted the deaf or hard of hearing tester three prices for one-bedroom units, depending on size: $965, $1023 and $1234 per month. But, the complaint says the same agent quoted the hearing tester a lower price of $1093 for the largest one-bedroom.
The complaint also alleges an agent told a hearing tester about unit amenities and specials about which she did not inform the deaf or hard of hearing tester.
I took the complaint to managers at Bell Austin Southwest and was told a representative from the company's national headquarters in North Carolina would respond. Kevin Thompson, SVP of Marketing at Bell Partners, says, "We were not made aware of the complaint. No one has contacted us other than the media. We are doing an investigation of our own and will have a statement at the appropriate time."
The Austin Tenant's Council, which protects renter's rights, hopes the national investigation will bring more awareness to the problems facing deaf and hard of hearing renters.
"The bigger the effort is the more attention is brought to the problem and the more attention, the more education goes out," said Stark.
The Austin Tenant's Council says 69 percent of all complaints the agency receives are about a disability.
By Bettie Cross
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