Massachusetts Senator Proposes Stricter Penalties for Real Estate Discrimination

Strategic Insights -

State Senator Adam Gómez presented a bill to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, aiming to strengthen regulations against housing discrimination. The bill, "An Act to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth," seeks to increase penalties for real estate professionals who engage in discriminatory practices. Senator Gómez cited a 2020 study by the Suffolk University Law School's Housing Discrimination Testing Program, which revealed alarming rates of discrimination against individuals with housing vouchers (86%) and Black renters (71%).

Key Takeaways:

  • The study "Qualified Renters Need Not Apply" found that discrimination against individuals with housing vouchers occurred 86% of the time and discrimination against Black renters occurred 71% of the time, reflecting "systematic injustice and structural racism" in housing.
  • The proposed bill, "An Act to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth," aims to increase penalties for real estate professionals who engage in discriminatory practices, including publishing a summary of complaints against them, adding an expert in fair housing to the board, and suspending licenses for repeat offenders.
  • Senator Gómez pointed out that there is currently a disconnect between the attorney general's office and the Board of Registration for Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, allowing discriminatory actions to go unpunished.
  • Kelly Vieira, an attorney and director of Investigations and Outreach at the Center for Housing Justice and Policy, testified that real estate professionals are often the ones discriminating against renters, and that it is rare for them to lose their licenses despite engaging in discriminatory practices.
  • Senator Gómez stated that the bill is personal to him as a legislator of color, as he cannot "stand idly while Black families, voucher holders, and other marginalized residents are quietly excluded from opportunities."
  • The bill would require real estate license applicants to take courses on fair housing law, aiming to teach professionals "that illegal discriminatory actions have real consequences."

Statistics:

  • According to the 2020 study, discrimination against individuals with housing vouchers occurred 86% of the time.
  • Discrimination against Black renters occurred 71% of the time.
  • It is rare for real estate professionals to lose their licenses despite engaging in discriminatory practices.
  • The proposed bill aims to suspend licenses for repeat offenders for 180 days, up from the current 90 days.

Sources:

  • "Qualified Renters Need Not Apply," Suffolk University Law School's Housing Discrimination Testing Program (July 2020).
  • "An Act to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth," Bill S.245.
  • Testimony by Senator Adam Gómez at the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.