The new lawsuit claims that a host of big-name real estate companies, as well as various landlords, refused to accept Section 8 vouchers for lower-income renters.
In these times, double down — on your skills, on your knowledge, on you. Join us Aug. 8-10 at Inman Connect Las Vegas to lean into the shift and learn from the best. Get your ticket now for the best price.
Numerous major real estate brands including Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, eXp Realty and others are facing a new lawsuit alleging they discriminated against lower-income renters in New Jersey.
The Housing Rights Initiative (HRI), a housing advocacy and watchdog nonprofit filed the suit Wednesday. The suit claims that a group of landlords and real estate brokers refused to rent units to prospective tenants in New Jersey who use government-provided Section 8 housing vouchers.
“They did so in violation of state law, even as Jersey City and Newark face a housing crisis and the continued ravages of the global pandemic,” the complaint reads.
News of the suit was first reported by the New Jersey Monitor.
The suit ultimately names as defendants 26 different landlords and real estate companies. Well-known brands among those defendants include Keller Williams Realty, eXp Realty, Century 21 Real Estate, Coldwell Banker Realty and RE/MAX.
Inman has reached out to these brands and will update this story with any commentary they provide.
The complaint explains that the case has its origins in 2017 when the HRI began receiving reports of discrimination in New Jersey. The organization subsequently began doing “civil rights testing,” according to the complaint, which involved calling housing providers to see if they were obeying fair housing laws.
Many allegedly weren’t.
“In many instances, their investigation revealed a policy or practice of effectively refusing to accept vouchers, which prompted HRI to take steps to address such violations of the law,” the complaint reads.
It goes on to…