LEADING THE SHIFT TOWARD ETHICAL HOUSING PRACTICES HUD’s recent notices are important, but they’re just one sign of a larger change. Across the industry, the expectation is shifting to include not only technical compliance but actively creating systems that work for everyone, especially those historically excluded. For housing professionals, this means building workflows that reflect real-world complexity. It means reevaluating what “qualified” really means and making room for context. It means designing processes where data informs—but does not dominate—decision-making. And it means questioning how every automated step, from ad to lease, can be more inclusive. This is not a challenge to resist. It’s an opportunity to lead. By choosing to be more thoughtful, more transparent, and more accountable, property managers can set a new standard—one where fair housing isn't just a mandate, but a mindset.
KATHELENE WILLIAMS Attorney and President The Fair Housing Institute
Kathelene (Kathi) Williams is one of the founders of FHI. Kathi recognized many years ago that online training was the most practical method to provide fair housing training to all housing providers. FHI is the accomplished vision of Kathi, who views its educational courses as the best method housing providers can use to accomplish compliance and avoid litigation. Kathi was a founding partner in the Law Firm of Williams Edelstein Tucker, P.C., providing defense and preventative representation for the housing industry in all civil rights matters. During the many decades Kathi has been advising her housing provider clients, she has developed a unique understanding of the most effective methods of communicating fair housing best practices through training. After 25 years of service, she has now retired and is focused on furthering FHI’s educational goals and development.
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