Fair housing

Steering

Directing people toward or away from areas on the basis of a protected characteristic

It can look like helpfulness — showing homes only where the agent believes people "will feel comfortable" — and it is prohibited regardless of intent. The harm the statute addresses is the segregation of housing itself, so the client’s consent does not cure it.

Answering questions about the demographics or "character" of a neighborhood, however casually asked, is how steering usually happens in practice. Provide objective data sources instead of characterisations.

How the exam asks about it

The reliable practice, and the answer to most scenario items: give the buyer every option that meets their stated criteria and let them choose where to look.

Related terms

Fair Housing ActBlockbustingRedliningProtected class

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