FACTS: A brokerage is in an area where a significant portion of the population speaks Spanish.  The brokerage has a FHEO poster displayed in the office, but the notice is in English only.

ISSUE: Should the brokerage also display the FHEO poster in Spanish?

ANSWER: Yes.

DISCUSSION:         

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the federal law that protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of their race, color, or national origin in programs that receive federal financial assistance. In certain situations, failure to ensure that persons who are limited English proficient (“LEP”) can effectively participate in, or benefit from, federally assisted programs may violate Title VI’s prohibition against national origin discrimination.

Therefore, because the brokerage is in an area where a significant portion of the population speaks Spanish, the brokerage should display the FHEO poster in Spanish and in English.