Domestic violence survivors are more likely to face roadblocks to housing than the general public in D.C. despite an anti-discrimination law passed by D.C. Council last year, according to a study by a nonprofit civil rights organization.

The study conducted by the Equal Rights Center found that 9 percent of applicants linked to domestic violence were denied housing outright and 56 percent were subject to adverse terms, not given appointments, or not told about additional listings.

“How far do we have yet to go to reach where we should have already been years ago?” said Rabbi Bruce Kahn, executive director of ERC.

The nonprofit initiated the study in January to test the legislation enacted last year that prohibits landlords from denying housing or evicting residents because they have been domestic abuse victims. The law also allows victims to terminate their lease without penalty if they need to flee an abusive situation.

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For its study, ERC enlisted people to pose as advocates calling landlords in pursuit of housing for a client. An “advocate” would call a landlord seeking housing on behalf of a client who was a domestic violence victim. Thirty minutes later, another of the study participants would call the same landlord, and inquire for herself using the same profile but without the domestic violence background.

In eight of the 93 tests, the first caller was told there was no available housing or they were unqualified to rent, according to the study. In each of those instances, the second caller was told that an apartment was available.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women in the United States, according to the National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty.

D.C. Councilman Jim Graham, who helped create the law, said the study’s findings were disturbing.

“The law is not being enforced,” Graham said. “These are individuals who are punished multiple times and are innocent.”

smccabe@dcexaminer.com