The state is like, here is a list of people most likely to be motivated to sell and would welcome your help... but if you use it you are a criminal! 

I certainly can appreciate that a city/town comprises of a mixture of different neighborhoods where some areas can see more criminal activity that others. 

I would set your floor at 600.But, a better solution is to look at the whole person (credit score, criminal history, Landlord references, length of employment, and other factors) to determine a level of risk, then act to deny them or find a way to mitigate the risk.Some managers/landlords - including myself - will rent to anyone . . . as long as they are willing to pay the price to mitigate the risk. :)

You should get credit, criminal, sexual predator, homeland security and verification of identity.  

Ask them if they are working, if they have a criminal background, etc. 

Why would it be so hard to believe if a racist owner sees a Black name, they (consciously or subconsciously) assume they will  destroy the property or do something criminal?

It seems to me that based on neighbors and other peoples experiences with them, they will specifically target and take on people with criminal records and pets who don’t have a lot of options on rentals.

I charge $13 for credit and criminal which is what my local Apartment Association charges me. 

They have absolutely no drug or criminal history.Whew!

No offence, but I know doctors, PhDs, Engineers who dont make that kind of money.