LMSW Practice Test

The mental health agency learns that a local landlord refuses to rent out apartments to African Americans. The Board decides to take action on behalf of several clients who have been refused housing. The best strategy is to

1. organize a demonstration to protest the landlord's actions.

2. publicize the landlord's behavior.

3. sue the landlord for damages.

4. use existing anti-discrimination statutes and institutions to force landlords to comply with the law.

The correct answer is: organize a demonstration to protest the landlord's actions.

The most effective strategy for the mental health agency to take action against the landlord's discriminatory practices involves utilizing existing anti-discrimination statutes and institutions to ensure compliance with the law. This approach is grounded in the legal framework that protects individuals from discrimination based on race, thereby addressing the issue through established legal channels that have the authority and capacity to enforce change. Relying on anti-discrimination laws allows for a structured and formal response to the landlord’s actions, which not only seeks immediate relief for the affected clients but also contributes to the broader aim of upholding civil rights for the community as a whole. Engaging with legal institutions can provide an avenue for accountability and potentially lead to remedies like compensation for those who have faced discrimination or changes in the landlord's practices. Using demonstrations or publicizing the landlord's behavior could raise awareness, but without the backing of legal authority, such actions may not result in meaningful or lasting change. Legal action could lead to enforceable outcomes that directly tackle the issue of housing discrimination and serve as a deterrent for other landlords engaging in similar practices. Therefore, leveraging the existing legal framework is the most practical and effective way to address this situation sustainably.