Do you remember those infamous teenage driver’s education films like the “Red Asphalt” series or “Blood Runs Red on the Highway”? These “shockumentaries” dramatized accident scenes or showed scenes from actual accidents, and the (often) gory results of poor decisions by young drivers. The intent was to scare teens into becoming good drivers, by showing them what could happen behind the wheel. 

While there is no doubt that these types of movies have made an impact on the minds of those who watched them, I wonder if they also instilled so much fear in young drivers that it made them more afraid of making a mistake, as opposed to becoming proactive, defensive drivers. And when the fear of making a mistake is a primary motivator, mistakes often increase! Plus, some studies have shown that a fear, or threat-based method of teaching drivers safety can often lose effectiveness over time. 

Are we doing the same thing when we teach Fair Housing principles? 

Throughout my career I’d see people come out of Fair Housing training with a “shell-shocked” look that essentially made them afraid to say anything or do anything outside of a very narrow path. I remember working with someone who didn’t want to ask any questions about prospect’s spouses or children, for fear of violating Fair Housing principles. Interestingly, she didn’t have any problems asking about client’s pets (especially dogs). 

Quite frankly~I have a tabby cat … and if a leasing associate asked more questions about my cat than my wife or daughter I’d think that was a little weird! 

No Coffee?

How many times have you run into someone (or perhaps it’s you!) who went through Fair Housing, got scared of doing the wrong thing and getting sued, so she decides that NO ONE is getting coffee or water when they come into the leasing office, for fear of forgetting to offer refreshments to a prospect who is in a protected class. 

Is that the intent of Fair Housing laws?

When I was the customer care manager of a large regional company I used to get calls from residents who requested credits or refunds, with legitimate reasons, who were denied their refunds because the managers said, “I can’t do that because of Fair Housing!” 

Is that the intent of Fair Housing laws?

I’ve interacted with managers who were hesitant to make ANY decisions that may have seemed outside of the normal course of action, out of fear of Fair Housing laws. 

The Big Picture

When we teach Fair Housing principles to our people, I think it important that we not forget the big picture reason that Fair Housing laws were enacted in the first place. Everyone deserves access to housing-regardless of their membership in a protected class. Everyone should be able to walk into an apartment community and expect to be treated well. Everyone should be able to live where they choose, provided they meet the accepted qualifications that any other applicants have to meet. 

Instead of focusing only on a message of fear and giving your people a list of “Don’ts”, I think we need to focus on the positive that you want to create for everyone who walks in the door and inspire your people to ask themselves … 

“What can I do to make everyone I interact with feel valued and cared for today?”