How Breed Restrictions Are Worsening the American Housing Crisis: What You Need to Know and How to Fight Back
The housing system in America was historically designed inequitably. In a current climate that criminalizes homelessness while presenting unaffordable and unreasonable barriers for people to secure housing, the American housing crisis is a pressing issue. Worsening these challenges for many, an often-overlooked factor is making the situation even worse for many families: breed restrictions. These policies, which ban or restrict certain dog breeds like pit bulls from rental properties, can result in families being denied housing or forced to choose between keeping their pets with their families or losing the basic human right of housing for themselves.
In this blog post, I explore how breed restrictions are exacerbating the housing crisis, why they are rooted in outdated thinking, and how The Pit Bull Doctor can support those facing housing discrimination.
The Impact of Breed Restrictions on Housing Access
Breed-specific restrictions are policies that prohibit or limit the ownership of certain dog breeds, most commonly pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers, among others. These policies are often justified as safety measures, but in reality, they disproportionately affect responsible pet owners and lead to unfair life-altering outcomes for families and communities.
Limiting Rental Housing Options:
Nearly every landlord and property management company imposes Breed-specific restrictions as part of their pet policies. This means that potential renters with restricted breeds (e.g. pit bull type dogs) are automatically disqualified from renting a home, regardless of their dog’s individual behavior or training. For families who face this dilemma, the housing market shrinks considerably, leaving them with few options—especially in areas already struggling with limited availability.
Contributing to Housing Instability:
For some, having to move due to breed restrictions can mean losing their home or job and uprooting their entire lives. Families often must make the difficult decision to surrender their pets to shelters, increasing the burden on local animal rescue organizations and shelters that are already overwhelmed. This contributes to housing instability, disrupting communities and putting even more pressure on families trying to stay housed.
Driving Up Housing Costs:
As demand for pet-friendly, non-restrictive housing rises, the few landlords willing to rent to owners with restricted breeds can charge higher rents or deposits. This places an additional financial strain on families, making housing even less affordable. Essentially, Breed-specific restrictions become another barrier, disproportionately impacting people with fewer resources who cannot afford to pay more for housing or hire legal representation to fight these restrictions.
Breed Restrictions: A Misguided Approach
While breed restrictions may seem like a way to ensure community safety, they are often based on outdated and misleading information about certain breeds. Studies show that a dog’s behavior is more related to factors like training, socialization, and the owner’s handling than breed. Despite this evidence, many housing providers continue to rely on stereotypes, effectively punishing responsible pet owners for the actions of a few.
Moreover, enforcing Breed-specific restrictions can put landlords at legal risk if they inadvertently violate federal laws like the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Under the FHA, service and emotional support animals are exempt from breed restrictions. Property owners who are unaware of these regulations may find themselves facing costly legal battles, highlighting the need for education and training on fair housing laws.
The Pit Bull Doctor’s Advocacy Services: Helping You Fight Back
At The Pit Bull Doctor, we believe that no one should have to choose between their home and their beloved dog. That’s why we offer a range of housing advocacy services designed to support people facing breed restrictions and other housing-related discrimination. Here’s how we can help:
Pit Bull Specific Behavior Consulting:
Breed Restrictions are problematic because they treat all dogs as if they’re inherently aggressive regardless of their individual temperament and behavior (including a tendency to be good natured and friendly towards humans). However, I also acknowledge that behavior is a major challenge for many dog owners, including pit bull owners. When owning a breed that is stigmatized in society, ensuring your dog is well behaved to help your housing situation is critical. The Pit Bull doctor offers pit bull behavior behavior consulting and dog training support to assist families with pit bulls through private coaching, workshops, one-on-one consultations, seminars, and free resources.
Landlord and HOA Letters:
If you’ve encountered resistance from a landlord or homeowners’ association (HOA) because of your dog’s breed, we can draft customized letters that explain your rights and responsibilities under federal and state laws. These letters can help clarify misunderstandings and serve as a powerful tool in your process to secure equitable housing with your pit bull.
Expert Witness Services:
For cases that escalate to legal action, our expert witness services can provide valuable testimony and insights into breed-specific legislation, animal behavior, and fair housing regulations. Our expertise can help make a strong case in your favor, giving you the support you need to challenge discriminatory policies. We specialize specifically in helping people who are fighting wrongful evictions in small claims court and can’t afford a lawyer.
Consultations for Tenants and Property Owners:
After numerous personal encounters with the impact of breed restrictions, I know firsthand the impact on a potential renter when property owners and management companies don’t know or follow fair housing laws. The Pit Bull Doctor offer consultations for both tenants and property owners to help them navigate the complexities of fair housing laws. For renters, we help them learn and assert their rights to their landlord, property management company or HOA. For property owners, our consulting services help you to understand your obligations under the Fair Housing Act.
Let’s Create an equitable Housing Market
Breed restrictions are not just about dogs—they’re about people, families, and impeding on people’s basic right to find a safe and affordable place to live. Challenging breed restrictions and advocating for fair housing policies is the only way to create an equitable and fair housing market for everyone.
If you are facing housing challenges due to breed restrictions, time is of the essence. Contact The Pit Bull Doctor today for a free consultation to learn how our housing advocacy services can support you in protecting your rights and keeping your family together.
If your pit bull’s behavior is complicating your life and/or housing situation, download a free copy of my ebook, How to Train Your Pit Bull.
Together, we can fight breed discrimination and work towards a more just and equitable housing system.
