SafeRent Solutions AI algorithm settles discrimination lawsuit for $2.2 million
A federal judge approved a $2.2 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging that SafeRent Solutions' rental screening algorithm discriminated against Black and Hispanic applicants and those with housing vouchers. The company did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to modify its screening tools.
What happened
Mary Louis, a Black woman, was denied an apartment in Massachusetts in 2021 after SafeRent Solutions' algorithm rejected her rental application.
Louis sued SafeRent, alleging the algorithm discriminated against her based on race and income by failing to account for housing vouchers and overweighting credit information. The lawsuit claimed the system disproportionately penalized Black and Hispanic applicants, particularly those relying on housing vouchers.
Reported impact
SafeRent agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle the class action lawsuit and to revise certain provisions within its AI algorithm and screening tools.
SafeRent did not admit any fault in the settlement but stated it remains confident the SRS Scores comply with all relevant laws.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.