Want to go undercover to test housing discrimination? Legal Aid is seeking Minnesota volunteers

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is seeking volunteers to help test for housing discrimination, boosting a program that had slowed down during the pandemic, and to honor the 55-year anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, color and disability. Minnesota's Human Rights Act adds a few more protections, including creed, marital status, sexual orientation and status with regard to public assistance.

Housing testing is a tool for investigation used to see if there are any variations in landlord rental processes, said Assistant Supervising Housing Attorney Elana Dahlager. Volunteers pose as potential renters and visit apartments or make calls and document their experience seeking housing.

https://www.startribune.com/want-to-go-undercover-to-test-housing-discrimination-legal-aid-is-seeking-minnesota-volunteers/600269442/