News & Features
Shares Climb as Real Estate Outlook Brightens
The Dow Jones industrial average gains more than 200 points and the S&P 500 crosses into positive territory for the year after reports show signs of life in the construction and housing sectors.
From Nod and Wave to Know and Share
Not long ago, a neighbor of ours died. Only then did we discover that he and my husband shared a passion for studying the Civil War.
Where We Live
A People-Magnet of a Park
Contented Capitol Hill residents talk about how easy it is to walk to restaurants, Metro and Eastern Market.
Home & Garden
House Calls
Matt and Katie Clark of Middletown need some renovations to their den which has a brick facade with an outdated fireplace. Designer Wendy Danziger offers advice.
More real estate articles, blogs and discussions
Blog: Local Address
Discriminatory Housing Ads Proliferate Online
May 05, 2009
Fair housing complaints spiked up 17 percent over the past year, according to a report just out from the National Fair Housing Alliance, a DC-based consortium of more than 220 private, nonprofit fair housing groups around the country. They blame the foreclosure crisis, which has forced a lot of families into the rental market, and the rise of Internet advertising, which has scant gatekeeping regarding the content that's posted. After I saw alliance's report, I spent about half an hour searching Washington-area for-rent ads on Craigslist just to see what I might find. In just that brief search, I found a few eye-openers--and then called Shanna Smith, president and chief executive of the alliance, for her reactions. From an ad for a one-bedroom apartment: "Mt. Pleasant also has a great ethnic mix of professionals and young families ... The other three units are occupied by professionals in their early 30s."
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Real Estate Live
1 to 2 p.m. ET Post Real Estate Editor Maryann Haggerty and blogger Elizabeth Razzi answer your questions about the local housing market.
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All advertisements for the sale or rental of dwelling units published in The Washington Post are subject to the federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make such preference, limitation, or discrimination." State law forbids discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.
The Washington Post will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
To complain of discrimination call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development toll-free at 800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800-927-9275.
