On Friday, April 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a “Dear Colleague” letter stating that it is not a violation of the Fair Housing Act to share information with prospective homebuyers about neighborhood crime rates and school quality, if such information is shared consistently and without discriminatory intent.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) agrees that consumers seeking information about schools and crime should have access to accurate and complete data during their home search. REALTORS® must also be mindful of the Fair Housing Act’s prohibition on steering, which prohibits agents from directing buyers towards or away from a neighborhood because of the client’s race, national origin, religion, or other protected characteristics. In some cases, courts have held that racially-coded comments about crime and schools can be evidence of discriminatory intent under the Fair Housing Act.

To avoid steering, agents should share the same kind of neighborhood information with all clients, regardless of their background. Remaining objective and factual, and avoiding subjective commentary, personal opinions, or hearsay, can help agents mitigate this risk.