February 2007 Coach's Quiz

We have given you eight rules to follow to help you prepare for and deal with a HUD investigation based on a fair housing discrimination complaint. 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 letter of the answer you think is correct—for example, 1b, 2a, and so on.

COACH'S TIP: The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

You have received a notice of a complaint to HUD alleging that your community has discriminated against a prospect, in violation of fair housing law. What should you do?

1. Ignore it and hope that it goes away.

2. Call the HUD investigator and ask what the notice is all about.

3. Read the notice carefully and start looking through your records.

4. Call the named complainant and ask him why he did this.

QUESTION #2

After reading HUD's notice, you start your investigation. You learn that two other employees were present when the behavior that is the basis of the complaint occurred. What should you do?

1. Interview the employees separately.

2. Interview the employees together.

3. Tell the employees what you want them to say to the HUD investigator.

4. Call HUD and tell the investigator that you found two possible witnesses whom you have not spoken with yet.

QUESTION #3

After receiving HUD's notice, your investigation reveals that one of your employees has repeatedly refused to show apartments to families with children. The HUD investigator has called to ask whether you are interested in conciliation. What should you do?

1. Call the complainant and apologize.

2. Call your attorney and tell her about the investigation, your findings, and HUD's offer to conciliate.

3. Call HUD and tell the investigator what you have learned, and that you promise it will not happen again.

4. Call the employee and tell him he is fired for discriminating against prospects.

QUESTION #4

HUD has notified you of a complaint that one of your employees has been making sexually explicit remarks to a female resident. Another employee overheard some of the remarks and advised the resident to file the complaint with HUD. You feel the complaint is unjustified. What should you do?

1. Evict the resident for filing her complaint.

2. Fire the employee who advised the resident to file the complaint.

3. Fire the employee who was making the sexually explicit remarks.

4. Don't take any action that could be considered retaliation.