05/06/2026
𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀: HUD Issues New Guidance on Crime and School Data
For years, real estate professionals have been told to stay silent when clients ask, "Is this a safe neighborhood?" or "How are the schools here?" We have always taught that answering these questions directly could be flagged as "steering" under the Fair Housing Act.
That just changed. A new letter from the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) clarifies that real estate agents do NOT violate the Fair Housing Act simply by discussing crime prevalence or school quality. HUD is now encouraging the free flow of truthful, non-racial information to help families make informed decisions.
https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/hudclips/documents/AS-Trainor%27s-DCL-on-Neighborhood-Crime-Data-and-School-Quality.pdf
𝟯 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
1. 𝐃𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐆𝐚𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫": answer questions without bias or with the intent to steer. Be truthful - address FACTS not imoressions
2. 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Tell everyone the same thing. Use the same source. Share with everyone regardless of any protected class status.
3. Lean Into Your Role as the Expert: HUD explicitly noted that homeowners pay commissions for our expertise. Don't be afraid to be the "community expert" again. Sharing statistics about local safety or academic performance is seen as a value-add that helps clients find "safe and decent" housing.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞: HUD is prioritizing your First Amendment rights and your client's right to information. You can be helpful, be an expert, and stay compliant—all at the same time.
