What is Fair Housing?

Links for More Information in English and Spanish on Protected Classes and Fair Housing:

What is Fair Housing? Fair Housing is the right of individuals to obtain the housing of their choice (ie: rent an apartment, buy a home, obtain a mortgage, purchase homeowners insurance etc.), free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, mental or physical disability, familial status, marital status, age, sexual preference, and legal and verifiable source of income. These rights are assured by Federal, State and local fair housing laws.

What is Housing Discrimination? Housing discrimination is illegal under federal, state and laws.
It is illegal under federal and state law to refuse to rent or sell housing to an individual or family because of their: Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Familial Status, National Origin, Physical or Mental Disability, Age, Marital Status. There are some local communities that include Source of Income and Sexual Orientation as protected classes also. The place you choose to live affects all the aspects of your life. It determines the places where you shop, work and where your children will attend school. If you are prevented from living in the neighborhood of your choice based on discrimination, you MUST report it. Illegal housing discrimination affects us all.

Help Us Fight Housing Discrimination! The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan (FHC) is a private, non-profit organization established in 1980 to promote equal access to housing opportunity through education and enforcement-oriented programs. You can help by becoming a member, making a tax-deductible donation or volunteering. Please contact us for more details. Click here to see our 2005 Annual Report.

Signs of Possible Discrimination:
All of the following actions are discriminatory and illegal in the sale or rental of housing, if they are based on race, color, religion, gender, familial status, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, source of income and sexual orientation.

- When you receive false information about the availability of a unit.

- A refusal to sell, rent or show available housing.

- When the terms and conditions of a lease or agreement are different for you because you because of your race, children, etc.

- A statement that the dwelling is not right for your family.

- If the dwelling has an “available” sign, but you are told it is not available.

- Terms or availability change between a phone contact and an in-person visit.

- When you are harassed or intimidated regarding moving to a neighborhood, saying that you won’t be safe or that the neighbors don’t want you there.

Be Observant!
Record the experience. Write down names of individuals, companies, addresses, phone numbers, date, times and witnesses involved.

1. Make notes of conversations or incidents that might indicate discrimination.

2. Keep copies of advertising, letters or other relevant information.

3. If you know of a person of the opposite sex, or a different race, etc., who received a different answer than you did, make a note of their name and address.

5. Call the Fair Housing Center immediately at (616) 451-2980 or 1-866-389-FAIR.

**If FHC finds evidence to support your allegation, we will further assist you in pursuing your housing rights by assisting you in filing your complaint with HUD, MDCR and/or referring you to a Cooperating Attorney.

 

Find out about our
Annual Fair Housing Luncheon & Workshop Series

20 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Tel: (616) 451-2980, Toll Free: 1-866-389-FAIR
Fax: (616) 451-2657 email: contact-us@fhcwm.org