Fair Housing
What is Fair Housing?
Fair Housing is the right to equal opportunity in housing. It is supported by the Fair Housing Act in an effort to prevent housing discrimination. According to Fair Housing laws, every person is assured the opportunity to build a better life in the home or apartment of their choice. A person cannot be discriminated against based on any of the following protected classes:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial Status (families with children under 18 or those expecting a child)
- Disability
- Military
Fair Housing laws cover most housing, including apartment complexes, single family homes, condominiums, dormitories, manufactured homes and others.
What rights do you have under Fair Housing laws?
Persons with disabilities also have the right to request reasonable accommodations in order to provide equal access and enjoyment to housing opportunity. In some circumstances the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker and housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
If You Think Your Rights Have Been Violated . . .
- Contact the local HUD Office nearest you or if you wish you may call that office directly. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call those offices through the toll free Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 or
For further assistance with Fair Housing or information on how to file a complaint please contact:
Lisa Reeves, CDBG SpecialistPortage County Regional Planning Commission
449 South Meridian Street, 6th Floor, Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Phone: (330) 297-3613
Email: lreeves@pcrpc.org
Fair Housing Brochures