March 2010 Coach's Quiz
We have given you six rules on how to comply with laws protecting military service members and veterans. Now let's look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the COACH's Quiz to see what you have learned.
INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, 1)b, 2)a, and so on.
The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!
QUESTION #1
A prospect says that he wants a quiet unit since he recently returned from active duty in Iraq. You overhear a leasing agent suggesting that he would be more comfortable in another community located in a quiet part of town. Could your community be accused of violating fair housing law?
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Yes
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No.
QUESTION #2
A husband and wife live in a one-bedroom unit in your community, which has a no-pets policy. The husband has been away on military service, but when he returns, the wife calls to say her husband's doctor has prescribed a service animal for her husband. You should:
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Reject the request because federal law and the law in your state do not protect military or veteran status.
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Reject the request because the husband does not appear to be disabled.
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Initiate the process for evaluating reasonable accommodation requests from a person with a disability.
QUESTION #3
You have received repeated complaints about belligerent and threatening conduct by a longtime resident. But when you talk to him about the problem, he says he has PTSD from previous military service. What should you do?
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Nothing. You can't evict him; he has veteran status.
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Nothing. You can't evict him because of his disability.
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Contact your lawyer about whether you can evict him.
Coach's Answers & Explanations
QUESTION #1
Correct answer: a
Reason: Rule #2 applies here:
Rule #2: Comply with State and Local Laws Protecting Veteran Status
If your community is subject to state or local laws banning discrimination based on military or veteran status, the leasing agent's reply may trigger a complaint of unlawful steering, particularly if it appears to be motivated by unfounded fears or stereotypes about military service veterans.
QUESTION #2
Correct answer: c
Reason: Rules #3 and #5 apply here:
Rule #3: Recognize Fair Housing Protections for Veterans with Disabilities
Rule #5: Carefully Consider Reasonable Accommodation Requests by Disabled Veterans
Upon receiving the wife's request, you should follow your community's policies and procedures for evaluating the request for an exception to your no-pets policy as a reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability.
Wrong answers explained:
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Even if your community is not subject to state or local laws protecting military or veteran status, the resident may qualify as an individual with a disability under federal, state, and local law.
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The FHA's disability provisions cover both physical and emotional impairments, many of which may not be obvious.
QUESTION #3
Correct answer: c
Reason: Rules #5 and #6 apply here:
Rule #5: Carefully Consider Reasonable Accommodation Requests by Disabled Veterans
Rule #6: Seek Expert Advice for Handling Residents with Mental Disabilities
In general, the FHA does not protect an individual with a disability whose tenancy would constitute a “direct threat” to the health and safety of other individuals or cause substantial property damage—unless the threat can be eliminated or substantially reduced by a reasonable accommodation. Your lawyer can help you determine whether the resident's conduct amounts to a direct threat that cannot be eliminated by a reasonable accommodation. The law imposes specific requirements for determining whether the conduct amounts to a direct threat and whether there are any reasonable accommodations that would eliminate or significantly reduce the threat.
See The Lesson For This Quiz
| Complying With Laws Protecting Military Service Members And Veterans |