Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)

Citation: Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)
Jurisdiction: Arlington (municipal)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/57214/637641171662530000 ↗

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Additionally, interviewees reported that many private landlords are reluctant to accept a housing choice voucher
because, in order to meet HUD’s unit quality standards, repairs to the unit would be required. These repairs are
more likely to be necessary in the lower-cost units in town, which in many cases are the only units whose rent falls
within HUD’s guidelines. Providers also suggested that many landlords simply do not want to be bothered with
the time-consuming voucher process. Beyond these logistical challenges, there is likely a stigma associated with
voucher holders, making landlords less likely to view them as desirable tenants. Providers noted several instances
where residents felt that landlords were not interested in renting to them once they learned that a voucher was
involved. However, the providers also noted that it is difficult to prove discrimination, particularly in a tight

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Arlington Fair Housing Action Plan

housing market; if a potential applicant is able to put a deposit down immediately, a landlord will almost
certainly offer the apartment to that applicant rather than waiting for an inspection and processing.

Veteran Status
In general, veterans’ housing needs were not a significant topic of discussion. One interviewee reported that, as
with other protected classes, veterans often had difficulty finding housing due to high costs. Assistance from the
Department of Veterans Affairs is sometimes delayed, and the points of service may be far from Arlington.

Other Protected Classes
Religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and genetic information were not mentioned by
providers as the basis for discrimination against their clients, nor were any challenges cited for these groups in
particular.