Fair Housing

 

April marked the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the U.S. Fair Housing Act. This landmark civil rights legislation, along with the Arizona Fair Housing Act, prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability.

 

Many individuals and families are subjected to unfair and unlawful acts of housing discrimination today. The National Fair Housing Alliance reports that illegal discrimination continues to exist nationwide, which prevents protected class individuals from obtaining the housing they choose and can afford.

 

Some signs of possible discrimination include:

 

·       A refusal to sell, rent or show available housing

·       A statement that the dwelling is not right for your family

·       The dwelling has an “Available” sign, but you are told it is not available

·       Steering to certain communities or neighborhoods based on race, ethnic compositions, or familial status

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

·       You are not contacted after acceptance of your application

·       An unreasonable refusal to provide a mortgage loan or home owners insurance

·       You are harassed or intimidated

 

If you think you have been a victim of housing discrimination:

 

·       Write down names of individuals, companies, addresses, phone numbers, dates, times, and any witnesses involved.

·       Make notes of conversations or incidents that might indicate that discrimination occurred.

·       Keep copies of advertising, letters, material, or other information.

·       If you know a person of a different national origin, race, religion, disability, or opposite sex who received a different answer or treatment than you, make a note of their name and address

·       Contact one of the resources below to make a complaint

 

 

Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Civil Rights Division

1275 West Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

1-877-491-5742 (toll free)

1-877-624-8090 (toll free TDD)

www.azag.gov

 

Southwest Fair Housing Council

2030 E. Broadway, Ste 101

Tucson, AZ 85719

1-888-624-4611

swfhc@dakotacom.net

www.swfhc.com

Se habla espanol

 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

San Francisco Regional Office

600 Harrison Street, Third Floor

San Francisco, CA 94107-1387

1-800-347-3739

e-mail: Complaints_office_09@hud.gov

www.hud.gov/fairhousing

 

National Fair Housing Alliance

1212 New York Avenue NW Ste. 525

Washington D.C. 20005

1-866-222-FAIR

e-mail: nfha@nationalfairhousing.org

www.nationalfairhousing.org