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| OUR MISSION |
The mission of the Northwest Fair Housing Alliance is to eliminate housing discrimination and to ensure equal housing opportunity for the people of Washington State through education, counseling and advocacy.
| | Education |
For over a decade the Northwest Fair Housing Alliance (NWFHA) has provided comprehensive fair housing training for property managers and landlords throughout Eastern and Central Washington.
Our clients have included professional property management companies, housing authorities, professional associations, attorneys, and government officials.
NWFHA staff is knowledgeable about fair housing issues that are currently “on the radar screen”in Eastern and Central Washington and can tailor training programs to meet your needs.
| | Counseling and Advocacy |
NWFHA assists people who have been discriminated against in housing because of race, color, national origin, disability, familial status (presence of children), marital status, religion, gender (sexual harassment or domestic violence may qualify), or sexual orientation with the investigation and filing of fair housing complaints with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC).
If you believe that you have experienced such discrimination, we may be able to assist you in talking with your housing provider or filing a complaint.
Please contact us at 1-800-200-FAIR (3247) or 509-325-2665.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michael Reid, Chairperson
Ken Isserlis
John O'Rourke
Angela Jeffrey
Kathy Laise
Amani El-Alayli
STAFF
Marley J. Hochendoner--Executive Director
execdir@nwfairhouse.org
Shawn Nikfar--Assistant Director/Testing Coord.
asstdir@nwfairhouse.org
Christina Mitma--Fair Housing Specialist
casemgmt@nwfairhouse.org
Joe Stassi--Finance Manager
financemgr@nwfairhouse.org
Homero Tamez--Hispanic Outreach Coordinator-- Español
homero@nwfairhouse.org
Shannon Bedard--Fair Housing Specialist
shannon@nwfairhouse.org |
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HUD's FY2009 State of Fair Housing Report |
Click Here for HUD's FY2009 State of Fair Housing Report
HUD No. 10-156
Shantae Goodloe
(202) 708-0685
FOR RELEASE
Friday
July 23, 2010
HUD FAIR HOUSING REPORT DOCUMENTS PROGRESS, IDENTIFIES CHALLENGES
Report finds most complaints allege disability discrimination
WASHINGTON - The Department of Housing and Urban Development today released the Obama Administration's first annual report on the state of fair housing in America. HUD's Fiscal Year 2009 annual State of Fair Housing Report highlights the agency's progress in enforcing the Fair Housing Act, identifies challenges that remain, and demonstrates its commitment to acting now to end housing discrimination.
The report, which covers the last full fiscal year of HUD's complaint investigations and fair housing activities, was released during HUD's National Fair Housing Policy Conference in New Orleans. The report shows that discrimination based on a person's disability status continues to account for the largest-single category of complaints. Of the 10,242 complaints filed with HUD and its fair housing partners during fiscal year 2009, 44 percent alleged disability discrimination, while 31 percent alleged discrimination based on race, and 20 percent based on family status. The number and type of complaints received are consistent with the previous two years.
"Despite much progress and hard work, Americans continue to face housing discrimination because they're in a wheelchair, are a different color, or background, or have children," stated John Trasviña, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "This report is a stark reminder that HUD and our fair housing partners must redouble our commitment to end housing discrimination."
This year's report highlights HUD's enforcement efforts, including those that led to changes of policies and equal housing opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and others. The Department also handled an array of discrimination cases that resulted in compensation for the victims or pertained to families with children. For example:
• HUD charged two Tallassee, AL, landlords with violating the Fair Housing Act for allegedly forcing a white family to move out of the house they rented to them after the landlords saw the family talking with African-American neighbors in their front yard. Three months after charging the case, HUD obtained a settlement that required the landlords to pay the African-American family $63,000.
• HUD charged a Puerto Rico condominium association with violating the Fair Housing Act for denying a disabled couple the use of two handicap accessible parking spaces. A HUD Administrative Law Judge subsequently ordered the association to pay $25,000 in damages to the couple, and $10,000 in civil penalties for violating the couple's fair housing rights.
• HUD charged an Atlanta condominium association and a local real estate company and its agent with discrimination for refusing to sell to families with children. The agent advertised a unit and conditioned the sale to those without children. During HUD's investigation, the agent admitted that several prospective buyers with children younger than 14 inquired about the unit and were told about the restriction.
• In addition, the report highlights HUD's efforts to ensure that the agency's core housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Last month, HUD announced that it will now require all applicants for Fiscal Year 2010 grant funding to certify that they have not been charged with a systemic violation of state or local laws that are equivalent to the Fair Housing Act based on a person's lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender status.
"HUD and its fair housing partners are on the front lines when it comes to fighting housing discrimination, and our job to prevent it is not complete without addressing 21st Century issues," stated Trasviña.
For additional information about the conference, log onto HUD's Web site: www.hud.gov/fairhousing. To read the annual report, go to: http://www.hud.gov/content/releases/fy2009annual-rpt.pdf
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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.
US Dept of Housing & Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455
Find the address of a HUD office near you
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NWFHA Helps Domestic Partnered Couple Raise Awareness of Regional Lesbian/Gay/Transgender Housing Discrimination
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WSHRC webpage with Info. re: sexual orientation discrimination
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Service/Assistance Animals
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FHEO memo on handling of LGBT complaints filed with HUD
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Obama Administration to Ensure Inclusion of LGBT Community in HUD Programs
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For Rent: No Kids! How Internet Housing Advertisements Perpetuate Discrmination, NFHA, 8/09
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Joint Statement of HUD and DOJ: Reasonable Modifications
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Reasonable Accommodations
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Joint Statement of HUD and DOJ: Reasonable Accommodations
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Richland couple files claim of housing discrimination.
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Medical Marijuana
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NFHA Trends Report 2010 Now Available
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Cyberdiscrimination in Dallas: Is Neil a More Desirable Tenant han Tyrone or Jorge?
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Domestic Violence
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Free Fair Housing Workshops for Tenants
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Free Fair Housing Workshops for Landlords
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Fair Housing Act Accessible Design and Construction Training
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Fair Housing Design and Construction Training
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