Apartment Disability Discrimination

I hope this apartment I applied at works out well for me but I have to mention other places certainly did not.

Now apartment discrimination is illegal under human rights laws (Fair Housing Act in the US and provincial Human Rights Codes in Canada) which then prevent landlords from outright refusing to rent, charge higher fees, or set different terms based on disability.

So I have been apartment hunting in a market that is pretty slim.

• I went to see one place, utilizing my cane of course. Then when he said he would send information regarding the property to process an application. I never received one at all. Maybe he forgot?
• More than one email and text asked about my income and I stated it was from disability income. Never heard back from them at all. I suppose I should never say where it comes from? But you have to eventually… so…
• Another I called and stated it was disability income. She asked if I was ‘the woman she spoke with before’ and didn’t sound pleased about it. I said, no, I was not that person who was apparently also on disability that she also spoke with. She asked about my credit bureau and said it wasn’t sufficient and refused even a viewing. She was not polite at all. Seemed irked I would even assume I could have a viewing with my income.

Now my credit bureau has taken a hit since I have been on disability. If they call my previous landlords I have never missed a payment and always get my damage deposit back. I pay all current bills. And I am an excellent tenant. It is a borderline credit bureau called ‘fair’ not ‘good’. I would say they would want the entire damage deposit which I am aware of and have. Not decline a viewing based on my Type of Income right of the get go.

I am definitely being screened out in some cases. Just refused viewings altogether. And in other cases refused applications based on my type of income.

Things that are discrimination

• Refusal to rent and screening out: Denying an application, refusing to show units, or steering to less desirable units.
• Inquires about conditions and health: Asking medical questions or for medical records or for the nature or severity of their disability.
• Refusing reasonable accommodation: for example refusing to install a bar in the bathroom or refusing a stall close to the door or refusing a service animal.
• Different terms: Charging higher security deposits, rent, or fees.
• Income discrimination: Refusing to accept disability benefits such as (CPPD, AISH, ODSP, SSDI) as legitimate sources of income.

You can in fact

File a complaint with the appropriate people. Such as relevant local human rights commissions or, for the US, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Or seek legal advice by contacting local legal aid or housing advocacy groups.

But people do not. It is difficult. It is a hassle. People do not have the time, energy or money. And disabled and sick people in particular do not have the time, energy or money.

The problems persist because

• Discrimination can be very subtle and they may use other more neutral excuses to mask their discrimination.
• The burden of proof is difficult and proving rejection was based on disability is difficult.
• Just finding affordable, accessible housing is difficult.

You can no longer comment on apartments on Google anymore either. You used to be able to. Which meant you could see if the management did not take care of the building and/or tenants. And if they displayed discrimination towards anyone in particular. It is to their benefit that is no longer the case.

Anyway, I have submitted income to a place. I have yet to hear back. It is being processed. I remain hopeful because they actually did take my viewing and my income.

Apartment moving considerations