Standing Firm Against Housing Discrimination
Housing is an essential human right that all should be able to access without experiencing discrimination based. Despite being in a time where tenant rights and fair housing protections are under attack at the federal level, HJC is committed to protecting and preserving the right to be free from discrimination that continues to exist in federal and state law.
What is the Fair Housing Act?
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal law passed in 1968 that prohibits discrimination in housing transactions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability.
What types of of transactions are included?
The FHA covers discrimination in many different housing transactions including renting a home, buying a home, the lending and appraisal processes, and advertising housing.
Examples of covered discrimination
Race
An appraiser giving the same home a higher value when they believe the owner is white, and a lower value when they believe the owner is Black.
Color
Treating an applicant or tenant more favorably based on their skin tone.
National Origin
A landlord threatening to call ICE in retaliation for a tenant requesting necessary repairs to their unit.
Sex
A landlord making unwanted sexual advances against a tenant.
Familial Status
A refusal to rent to families with children or having overly restrictive occupancy limits.
Disability
A refusal to allow a service animal or a ramp for a disabled tenant.
What are your options?
- Filing a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), though there has been a significant reduction in enforcement capacity under the current administration.
- Filing a lawsuit in state or federal court. If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination, the HJC fair housing team can help you explore these options. You can reach us by calling (612) 807-1139.
- Filing a complaint with local civil rights enforcement agencies, such as the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights or the Saint Paul Human Rights Investigations Department.
- Filling a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
- Filing a lawsuit in state or federal court.
If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination, the HJC fair housing team can help you explore these options. You can reach us by calling (612) 807-1139.
Are there other protections besides FHA?
Minnesota Human Rights Act
Includes the seven federal protected classes as well as the highlighted additional bases: race, religion, disability, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance
Includes the seven federal protected classes as well as the highlighted additional bases: housing status (whether or not you are stably housed), height and weight, color, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, familial status, justice impacted status (history of arrest, charge, conviction, incarceration, probation), race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, receipt of public assistance.
Saint Paul Human Rights Ordinance
Includes the seven federal protected classes as well as the highlighted additional bases: age, ancestry, color, creed, disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual or affectional orientation, receipt of public assistance.
Education & Consultation
HJC is happy to provide further information on fair housing protections and offer concrete steps to ensure your policies and procedures comply. If you would like to request a Fair Housing 101 training or a comprehensive fair housing review of your operating procedures, contact Sarah Carthen Watson at scarthenwatson@hjcmn.org
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