BLACK LIVES MATTER
Carter-Haston Denied Me Housing
Was I Discriminated Against? YES
The Tea
I have four things going for me when it comes to housing:
- I am financially stable.
- I often exceed the income requirements.
- I have no kids (not knocking anyone who does).
- I have no criminal history (not knocking anyone who does).
Despite all of these things, Carter-Haston said: NO, your housing application is denied due to “criminal history.”
Yet, I have no criminal history……..
Every single housing community I’ve ever applied to has given me an ecstatic: YES!
In fact, shortly before I applied to this community, I applied to some other communities who all approved my applications, told me yes, and showed me cleared and successful background checks. Furthermore, the communities that approved my applications treated me with kindness, patience, and demonstrated that people of European heritage aren’t treated better than me — an African-American woman.
After Carter-Haston conveyed to me that I was denied housing in their community, they didn’t proceed to execute any of the following decent actions:
- Reach out to me to re-check my information to ensure 100% accuracy
- Try to work with me and understand why there might be an error
- Actively demonstrate they would like me to be a part of their community
Discrimination?
Was I being discriminated against? YES. Because even if there was an error in my report, why not consider my previous background check or conduct another one to confirm?
Why not ask me to re-check my information to ensure everything I submitted is 100% accurate? Spelling errors and omitted information can happen easily when applying for multiple communities.
Where is the hospitality? Where is the kindness? Where is the hunger to fulfill your property’s capacity goals? And why not give me the benefit of the doubt if I tell you my history is clear, and I show you my most recent background check cleared?
The area of this community has a majority white demographic, the property manager is also white, but I never felt uncomfortable with the area or the community.
But I stopped feeling comfortable after it appeared as if they wrote me off — even after I made my case with proper and accurate documentation.
Taking Action
As a Black and independent woman, there is nothing easier than taking matters into your own hands.
Once Carter-Haston told me I was “denied,” I took the time to conduct another background check (completed by the same company that Carter-Haston worked with).
I also filed a dispute to refute this sketchy background check they ran (which I still haven’t seen btw). But it was pointless to do this because the background check ended up showing no criminal history.
I’m not crazy; I would know if I had trouble with the law before, and every community and employer I worked for can attest to this: my background checks were in the clear.
So why are they being extra?
Hopefully, Carter-Haston doesn’t implement serial discriminatory practices for minority individuals.
I Have 2 Questions
- Should a person stay with a community that discriminates against minority individuals? #BeTheOutlier
- Why is the housing application process more tedious — at times — for Black individuals? Can we please stop with the madness based on a frivolous thing: the color of a person’s skin?
Don’t Settle POCs
When Black individuals are denied equal access to housing, loans, medicine, etc., it’s too easy to accept the status quo and what you’re given, but we shouldn’t.
To ensure we progress as a community, we have to fight for what we desire, believe in, and equal treatment.
Don’t settle and accept whatever is given. Go after what and who you want, and if it doesn’t work out, go after something even better than your original plan.
What If I DID Have A Criminal History?
The mere fact that some people have a criminal background doesn’t make them a bad person. There are worse people who aren’t in jail roaming the streets.
It’s unsettling to know that a person could be denied housing for a mistake or situation a person no longer identifies with.
Thankfully, I know many people who have a criminal background, and they still get housing, but not everyone is so fortunate.
Final Thoughts: Making up lies about someone’s criminal history to deny them housing is far from okay. How can we change this?
Destiny S. Harris is a writer, poet, entrepreneur, teacher, and techie who offers free books daily on amazon. Destiny obtained three degrees in political science, psychology, and women’s studies. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or @ destinyh.com
