Nusbaum Changes Housing Policies
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Local residential property owner expands identification requirements for potential tenants
S.L. Nusbaum Realty, Co. (SLN) recently updated the company’s rental application policy to enhance equal housing opportunities for potential tenants of its properties. As part of its updated policy, SLN will allow prospective tenants to produce additional forms of identification to demonstrate that their identity matches a social security or federal ITIN number needed to perform a standard credit check.
SLN, one of the largest property management firms in Virginia, partnered with Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. (HOME), the Sacred Heart Center, New Virginia Majority, and the League of United Latin American Citizens Council 4614 (LULAC) to work on details of changing the policy.
“We have always attempted to go above and beyond what the law requires in order to promote fair housing while providing excellent service to our clients and residents,” said Steve Boyce, SLN senior vice president. “SLN is pleased to work with HOME and its partners to expand housing opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their national origin, race, or any other protected characteristic. ”
HOME maintains that tenant selection policies requiring proof of legal residency have a disproportionate effect on Hispanic/Latino people and can limit their access in the Commonwealth to safe, affordable housing.
“SLN has demonstrated a commitment to our shared goal of ensuring equal access to housing opportunity for all people,” said Alex Guzmán, HOME’s fair housing director. “We believe that as long as a renter can reliably demonstrate their identity, ability to pay rent, credit-worthiness, and reasonable rental history, there should be no other barriers to their housing access and our collaboration with SLN will help further HOME’s goal of maximizing rental opportunities for Hispanic/Latino people and other foreign nationals across the Commonwealth.”
“SLN is committed to compliance with both the spirit and letter of all applicable Fair Housing laws,” Boyce said. “We were pleased to work collaboratively with HOME and its partners to implement standards that go even further to maximize access to housing.”
