Fair Housing Center for Rights & Research

Historical and present-day structural factors have contributed to a housing environment in which low-income Black women renters are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment. A recent brief from The Legal Defense Fund seeks to shine a light on the often-ignored problem of housing sexual harassment, with a focus on the unique vulnerabilities of low-income Black women renters.

How Housing Sexual Harassment Targets Low-Income Black Women Housing sexual harassment is an insidious problem that has largely been overlooked, likely because it is severely underreported and often targets low-income Black women renters who are forced to choose between harassment and homelessness.

Did you know that it is illegal for a housing provider to ask questions about the nature or extent of your disability? While a housing provider can ask you to provide a verification letter if you are requesting a reasonable accommodation or modification, they can never require you to disclose your diagnosis, ask for your medical records, or ask personal questions about your disability.

Have questions about your rights? We're happy to help!

📞(216) 361-9240
📧 [email protected]

"It is hard to argue that housing is not a fundamental human need. Decent, affordable housing should be a basic right for everybody in this country. The reason is simple: without stable shelter, everything else falls apart." - Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City

📣 SAVE THE DATE: On Wednesday, July 15th at 12PM, join us for a virtual discussion of the current Source of Income (SOI) legal landscape and its effects on housing access.

We will highlight the growing number of municipalities that have adopted local SOI protections in response to persistent barriers in the rental market. Our esteemed panel will explore recent constitutional challenges to SOI protections and how municipalities and courts have been addressing those challenges. 2.0 CLE credits will be available. Registration info coming soon!

⚠️Make sure you are subscribed to the Housing and Community Development Forum email list, so you don't miss any updates: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/GRYZzFV

When we say we're committed to fair housing for all, we mean ALL.

At a time when LGBTQ+ Americans face housing discrimination and harassment at significantly higher rates, we would like to remind you of the local and county-wide ordinances that protect residents from discrimination in Northeast Ohio.

As we continue the fight for fair housing, our team wishes you a happy and safe Pride Month. 🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏠

If you've hesitated to report discrimination because of the fear of retaliation, rest assured — fair housing advocates have your back. Under the Fair Housing Act, it is illegal for a housing provider to threaten, coerce, intimidate, retaliate against, or interfere with anyone exercising their fair housing rights or anyone assisting others who exercise that right.

Have questions or need our assistance? Get in touch with our advocates:
📞(216) 361-9240
📧 [email protected]

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are shedding light on the challenges faced by people experiencing mental illness, and the protections that the Fair Housing Act offers to ensure that all people – regardless of disability – can live where they choose, free from discrimination. Read our latest blog to learn more:

Mental Health and Your Right to Fair Housing - Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research More than one in five adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year. While mental health conditions present their own challenges, many people also experience additional barriers and discrimination as a result of their disabilities. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are shedding light o...

from Angela Davis: "Justice is indivisible. You can't decide who gets civil rights and who doesn't."

Last Wednesday, our team attended the 36th Annual Senior Day Information Fair, presented by the Cleveland Department of Aging. It was great to connect with so many community members and share fair housing resources. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table!

Our office is closed today in observance of Memorial Day.

As we honor and remember fallen service members, we also want to remind you that military status is a protected characteristic under Ohio's fair housing law. This means that active service members, military veterans, and their families are protected from housing discrimination throughout the state.