Category Archives: Latest News

Freedom from Discrimination Benefits Everyone

Diverse, thriving communities are crucial to our national prosperity in the 21st century. Access to a safe and affordable home near quality schools and employment is central to the American Dream. When it comes to building strong communities, we’re all in it together.

It’s common sense that we should challenge barriers to equality and fairness and look for better ways of doing things. That’s core to who we are as Americans, and it strengthens all communities.

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HUD Releases 2012-2013 Annual Report on Fair Housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity released its Annual Fair Housing Report for 2012 to 2013.  This report provides information on fair housing activities for the period beginning October 1, 2011, and ending September 30, 2013. Read the Report We hope that you find this […]

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AFFH Assessment Tool Released Today for Review

The Housing Center learned today that HUD released  an important part of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation this morning for public comment. This proposed AFFH “template” is the form that jurisdictions will use for their new Assessment of Fair Housing. The release of the template is a perfect opportunity to once again weigh […]

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NFHA Urges Ohio Senate to Reject Radical Anti-Civil Rights Bill

Senate Bill 349 Would Make It Easier to Discriminate in Housing

WASHINGTON, DC – A proposed bill in the Ohio Senate would make it easier for landlords and others to discriminate in housing and not to be held accountable for their actions. It would also cost the State at least $1 million in lost federal funding.  Shanna L. Smith, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, issued the following statement calling for the Ohio Senate to reject this radical measure:

“All people should have equal access to housing they can afford.  Senate Bill 349 would replace Ohio’s long standing strong law with only a slap on the wrist for banks, real estate companies, landlords, and apartment owners who discriminate.  Senate Bill 349 would weaken the ability of Ohio’s civil rights organizations and neighborhood groups to hold accountable those who discriminate against neighborhoods, people with disabilities, families with children, women, people of color, and many others.”

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Third Annual Rock the Block 5K! at Edgewater Park

Registration is now open for the Housing Center’s 3rd Annual Rock the Block 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk. The race will be help on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Edgewater Park. New this year is the option to register for teams of six. So gather your co-workers for an office challenge, or enlist family […]

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Consumer Alert!

The City of Cleveland issued a CONSUMER ALERT regarding remodeling contractors who convince seniors that their homes can be repaired and/or remodeled for free without the consequences of a loan or mortgage. Read the Consumer Alert here: http://clecityhall.com/2014/06/05/consumer-alert-home-equity-stripping-scams/  

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NFHA Announces Fair Housing Videos for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The National Fair Housing Alliance, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, announced the creation of 12 fair housing/fair lending videos in American Sign Language (ASL) with English captioning. These videos provide critical legal and practical information in a format accessible to persons who are Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing. The […]

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It is Above that You and I Shall Go

The Housing Center is pleased to announce the installation of our fair housing mural, “It is Above that You and I Shall Go” produced in collaboration with Building Bridges Arts Collaborative and the HELP Foundation, Inc.  The mural is located on the western wall of Six Chimneys apartment building, 3907 Prospect Avenue, in Cleveland’s MidTown […]

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Brush Strokes for Equality!

The Housing Center is collaborating with Building Bridges’ youth arts and job training program to create a permanent, public mural which celebrates diversity and recognizes the importance of equal access to housing opportunities. The mural will be installed on the western wall of 3907 Prospect Avenue, easily visible to car and pedestrian traffic. The public dedication ceremony will take place on April 29, 2014 and will be followed by a community conversation and reception with the mural artists and local fair housing advocates at the Housing Center’s annual Fair Housing Celebration at Trinity Commons.

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Tax Time Help, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Blog

The Housing Center recognizes that fair housing cannot be accomplished without fair lending. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans, including mortgage products. Discrimination in lending is prohibited under the Fair Housing Act. As the CFPB website states, “An informed consumer is the best line of defense against abusive practices.” The CFPB website is a great way to learn before you make major financial decisions, and with tax time upon us, many are on the verge of making major purchases with their anticipated refund. The CFPB now has an additional resource for income tax filing help. Find free, local tax prep & filing resources at the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Blog.

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Did You Know?

Did you know that housing providers cannot impose breed, size, or weight restrictions on service animals under the Fair Housing Act? Service animals are not considered pets, and therefore a person with a disability may make a reasonable accommodation request to allow a service animal (also called therapy, assistance, or companion animal). The request can […]

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