The Justice Department has announced a proposed settlement with Willow Bridge, one of the nation’s largest landlords, in a fair housing matter that puts tenant-screening practices squarely in the compliance spotlight. The case centers on allegations that the company’s use of criminal-history screening policies unlawfully discriminated against Black applicants, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

According to the government, blanket or overly restrictive screening standards can create a disparate impact when they disproportionately exclude protected groups without sufficient justification.