In June 2020, a court denied a Texas resident’s request for an emergency order to allow him to fence off his yard because his disability—a compromised immune system—left him vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure to passing strangers.

Given today’s volatile political climate, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant for any signs of racially motivated harassment, discrimination, or violence directed against anyone at your community. 

Criminal background checks are the latest battleground for potential race discrimination claims. If it’s been a while since you last reviewed your policy, it’s important to check to make sure your policy doesn’t run afoul HUD guidelines addressing the discriminatory effect that criminal background policies may have on racial and ethnic minorities.

Who bought a planner for 2020?  Doesn’t that seem like the most useless purchase now?

Fear, failure, and uncertainty have been words we have heard, seen, and felt this year.  2020 has certainly thrown us a curve ball, and if you are like the most of us, you had no plan or procedure on how to deal with a global pandemic.  I have been instructing emergency preparedness for over 15 years, and Covid19 has never been in my research or curriculum.  It will be from now on.  I have always dedicated time to address the necessity of proper PPE.  You can bet that will be even more emphasized now. And what about technology and the ability to quickly pivot to a remote workforce? Did this fit into a pre-2020 emergency plan?  Probably not, but now that piece is vital.

When showing available units in your community, refrain from any comments or conduct that suggest a prospect should—or shouldn’t—live at your community, or in a particular area within your community—because of her race or color. It’s considered “steering,” an unlawful practice under the FHA, if you direct, guide, or encourage prospects, based on an illegally discriminatory reason, to rent only certain units at a community or to seek alternate living options.