Reports of Discriminatory Sign in Spokane

Posted on October 31, 2024

Northwest Fair Housing Alliance (NWFHA) has received several reports from the community about a discriminatory sign posted at an apartment complex in Spokane. The sign stated that Pacific Islander applicants would automatically be rejected.

Many people have expressed sadness, anger, shock, and confusion at seeing statements unilaterally rejecting entire populations in our community based on national origin. Some have asked if such a sign is legal. To be clear, such a statement violates the Fair Housing Act, which provides that it is unlawful:

To make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, (disability), familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

As with the distribution of discriminatory flyers, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for placement of a discriminatory sign in an area open to the public. Representatives for the property management company deny that they placed this sign or that this is their policy and advise that the script used on the signage does not match their usual advertising. They have filed a police report for vandalism and intend to pursue legal recourse if the person(s) responsible for making the sign is identified.

If the person who placed the sign is someone who believes that they experienced or witnessed housing discrimination, they are encouraged to file a fair housing complaint with a federal or state agency, or a private lawsuit, rather than making signs that violate fair housing laws and further hurt and confuse the public.

If someone believes that they have experienced housing discrimination, including the denial of a rental, due to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, creed, veteran or military status, familial status, marital status, or immigration or citizenship status, they may file a complaint with the following agencies:

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development: 1-800-669-9777

https://www.hud.gov/fairhousin...

Washington State Human Rights Commission:

https://www.hum.wa.gov/file-co...

Northwest Fair Housing Alliance: (509) 325-2665

https://nwfairhouse.org/