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NAR- Guidance for Fair Housing Compliance During the COVID-19 Pandemic May 5, 2020 During the COVID-19 pa Guidance for Fair Housing Compliance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 5, 2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, REALTORS® continue to play an important role in assisting people to find homes.
On March 4, NAR published Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®, which is continually updated based on evolving guidance from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the White House, among others. These frequently asked questions about complying with the Fair Housing Act during the COVID-19 pandemic supplement our previous guidance.
What anti-discrimination laws apply to housing during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Federal and state fair housing laws remain intact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those laws make it unlawful to discriminate on several protected bases, including disability and national origin. The pandemic provides a unique set of circumstances for navigating federal antidiscrimination provisions.
First, each real estate professional must determine whether they will provide services during this time. To the extent they continue to make services available, the Fair Housing Act applies. Such services should be provided on an equal basis while recognizing that no one is required to engage in any transactions that put their health or safety, or the health and safety of others, at risk. If reasonable accommodations can be made to provide housing or services to individuals with COVID-19, without threatening the health or safety of others, the federal Fair Housing Act calls for such accommodations to be made.
Are individuals who have COVID-19 covered under the national origin protections of the federal Fair
Housing Act?
Yes. When an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, is associated with a specific population or nationality, fear and anxiety may lead to social stigma and discrimination. REALTORS® may not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their national origin, even if they are from other countries that have also been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Are individuals who have COVID-19 covered under the disability protections of the federal
Fair Housing Act?
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility-CDC Guidelines
Everyday Steps, Steps When Someone is Sick, and Considerations for Employers
Clean
- Wear disposable glovesto clean and disinfect.
- Clean surfaces using soap and water, then use disinfectant.
- Cleaning with soap and water reduces number of germs, dirt and impuritieson the surface. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces.
- Practice routine cleaningof frequently touched surfaces.
o More frequent cleaning and disinfection may be required based on level of use.
o Surfaces and objects in public places, such as shopping carts and point of sale keypads should be cleaned and disinfected before each use.
- High touch surfaces include:
o Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.
Disinfect
- Recommend use of EPA-registered household disinfectantexternal icon.
Follow the instructions on the labelto ensure safe and effective use of the product.
Many products recommend:
o Keeping surface wet for a period of time (see product label).
o Precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
SBA Funding Availability
Available Monday, April 27, 2020 10:30 AM
www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/...
Notice: Additional Economic Injury Disaster Loan Funding
With the additional funding provided by the new COVID-19 relief package, SBA will resume processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications that are already in the queue on a first come, first-served basis.
We will provide further information on the availability of the EIDL portal to receive new applications (including those from agricultural enterprises) as soon as possible.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state's or territory's Governor, the SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.