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February 8, 2005
Almost half of Vermont landlords discriminate against Muslims
By Darren Perron Channel 3 News
Burlington, Vermont - There are signs it's less of a landlord's market-- as more and more vacant apartments become available in Vermont. They're ready to rent, but not to everyone. A year-long study at the Fair Housing Project tested landlords in Vermont. The group found nearly 50% illegally discriminated against Islamic immigrants.
"A lot want to think of Vermont as an open, progressive place and this doesn't happen here," says Willa Darley Chapin of the Fair Housing Project.
The project used two testers to call rental properties. One caller sounded American, the other sounded Muslim. Both had identical incomes and were the same gender. "The only significant difference between them was their national origin," explains Chapin.
27 calls were made to landlords in Lamoille, Washington and Chittenden Counties. The American tester was successful. But about half the time, the foreign tester was told the property was not available, there were fees attached, or the phone call was simply not returned.
For immigrants, like Muhaideen Batah, the reason is simple: 9-11. "The individuals who did this-- the horrific 9-11-- they do not represent me as a Muslim or my faith," says Batah. "It's not fair to say we all the same the Muslims. We came here to this country for a better future for us and for our kids."
"Does discrimination happen? Yes. On this scale? No, certainly not," says Stuart Bennett of the Vt. Apartment Owners Association.
The Association questions the study's validity. They say such a small test sample does not indicate widespread discrimination in the state. "Such a low sample over a long period of time doesn't mean anything," says Bennett. "27 calls to 27 people in the state of Vermont is completely insignificant."
The Fair Housing Project acknowledges the landlord sample was small. But officials there say it still proves discrimination is happening in Vermont. And any housing discrimination is illegal. However, the people behind the project say they will not seek to prosecute the violators. This study was funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development simply as a way to track racial prejudice since 9-11. The results will be turned over to HUD and used to educate the public about housing discrimination.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=2920981&nav=4QcSW97Z
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