John Bendall owner of Re/Max Classic Group discuses a disturbing number of housing discrimination complaints.

At Re/Max Classic Group we are dedicated to helping people become home owners in Somerset, Hunterdon, and Middlesex Counties, any and all types of buyers.  That is why I was particularly surprised to hear that there has recently been an increase in the number of complaints in regards to fair housing.  According to a recent article in the Courier News “ The Department of Housing and Urban Development and housing assistance agencies logged 10,328 complaints last year, a 12 percent jump from 2005.”

Many people think that housing discrimination is a thing of the past, so why do more and more people feel that they are being discriminated against?  Unfortunately this type of treatment is not happening in a few isolated areas, it is happening all across the country.  “The highest was Nebraska with 17, followed by Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, Hawaii and Wyoming. According to officials in some of those states, the reasons range from aggressive work by fair housing groups to longstanding racial tensions to an influx of immigrants.”  Suspected causes include an increasing immigrant population in certain areas. Other possible causes are older homes with no accommodations for the disabled.  The increased seriousness that these types of complaints are given is another reason more and more of them are seen on the books.

Even though the complaints are taken seriously, the number of complaints does not necessarily equal the number of cases in which discrimination is proved.  Many times discrimination is subtle and difficult to pinpoint.  In cases of disability discrimination it may not always be intentional, sometime people just don’t know what they should be doing to accommodate the disabled.

If you are looking for a home, no matter your race, creed, or color, Re/Max Classic Group would like to help you achieve your dream.  There is an excellent selection of homes currently available on the market and despite all the negative media surrounding the mortgage industry, there are still a number of good products available for borrowers. To get started on your search e-mail me today at john@bendallgroup.com.

For the complete Courier News article visit http://c-n.gns.gannettonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/HOUSING/70919002

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