Tester Training

Testers Wanted!

In order to promote fair housing and protect individuals' rights, HOPE needs your help. Each year, HOPE conducts tests that investigate housing providers and real estate, rental, insurance, or lending agents. In these tests, HOPE asks "testers" to pose as a home renter or buyer, or as a home mortgage or insurance seeker. Depending on the situation, testing may be by telephone or by site visit, or both. Two "testers" may be asked to look into the same or similar apartments belonging to one owner. These "testers" will be matched so that ultimately the defining characteristic that separates the two is their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Before conducting the test, HOPE assigns each "tester" certain characteristics (e.g. married, children, living in Hometown USA) and housing requirements (e.g. looking for a 3 bedroom apartment, approved for a loan, blind spouse who has a service dog, etc.). Upon finishing the test, the "tester" carefully reports his or her experience in both writing and verbally to HOPE's staff. With these results, HOPE compares testers' reports to investigate whether any of the protected classes mentioned above are treated differently.

Testers are paid a nominal stipend and reimbursed for any expenses incurred, including mileage. Training will be provided. Testers are assigned tests on an on-call basis as needed; therefore, this position cannot be considered a full-time or a part-time job.

The United States Supreme Court has approved testing as one of the best and legitimate methods for uncovering discrimination. Therefore, in order to achieve our mission of equal access to housing for all, HOPE needs you and would be truly grateful for your participation with our agency as a HOPE Fair Housing Tester.

To learn more about testing, please contact HOPE Fair Housing Center via Contact Us.