Fair Housing Update: January 2007

Washington State
FAIR HOUSING UPDATE

WSHRC Publishes Self-Assessment Checklist for Real Estate and Housing Transactions

The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) has developed an innovative guide, Self-Assessment Checklist for Real Estate and Housing Transactions. The checklist is a free, practical tool for housing providers, realtors, landlords and others who want to learn and do more about being in compliance with the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) and the new sexual orientation and gender identity nondiscrimination jurisdiction. The checklist is the first of its kind in the nation and the WSHRC is proud to have this opportunity. See it online at www.hum.wa.gov/documents/FairHousing/Self-Assessment-%20Housing%20and%20Real%20Esate.pdf.

After the 2006 Legislative session, Governor Chris Gregoire signed ESHB 2661 into law, making nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, including gender identity, the law in Washington State. The new law became effective as of June 7, 2006. The WSHRC views this new jurisdiction as a natural extension of civil rights.

The WSHRC enforces the WLAD, which prohibits discrimination in employment (employers with eight of more employees), housing, places of public accommodation, and credit and insurance transactions, on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender expression/ identity, marital status, age (over 40), the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, retaliation for opposing an unfair practice, filing a whistleblower complaint with the Washington State Auditor, or filing a nursing home abuse complaint.

In Washington State, complaints of housing discrimination continue to increase. The WSHRC is being proactive in implementing this new jurisdiction. Visit www.hum.wa.gov for a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the WLAD and sexual orientation discrimination. Copies of the self-assessment can be obtained by calling the WSHRC or by visiting the sexual orientation portion of our website. The WSHRC looks forward to your feedback on use of the checklist.

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Updated: Jan. 12, 2007

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