We’ll protect your right to fair housing.
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to disrupt nearly every aspect of our lives — from transportation and employment to housing and healthcare — The Fair Housing Center is here to help our neighbors with fair housing issues that arise during this pandemic. Our advocates are available to assist victims of housing discrimination in a variety of ways, which may include providing education on their rights, assisting them in making a reasonable accommodation or modification request, investigating a complaint, engaging with a housing provider on a tenant’s behalf, or supporting victims in exercising their fair housing rights.
Getting help with housing issues related to COVID-19
DISABILITY
If the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak have caused you to experience housing issues related to your disability or illness, fair housing laws may protect you. Among the services The Fair Housing Center offers, we may be able to help you make a reasonable accommodation request for, but not limited to, the following:
- Ability to pay rent via mail (or other contactless method)
- Additional time to move/vacate
- Ability to have your service or assistance animal in your home without penalty or added fee
Please note that reasonable accommodation or modifications requests must be made in connection with a disability and disability-related need for the request.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT
An uptick in domestic violence incidents have been reported throughout the world since the coronavirus pandemic has caused stay-at-home and lockdown orders to be put in place. As people are spending more time inside with family members, housemates, or significant others during this time, some are finding themselves isolated with their abusers and in need of help. The Fair Housing Center may be able to offer assistance to those experiencing domestic violence and/or sexual harassment, or referrals to agencies and resources that can best serve your needs.
- Other agencies that may be able to assist include:
RACE, COLOR, AND NATIONAL ORIGIN
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep through countries worldwide, Asian Americans have become the target of xenophobic and bigoted attacks. Fair housing laws explicitly prohibit housing providers from discriminating against people based on their race, color, or national origin. If you feel as though you have been discriminated against in your housing based on your race, country (or perceived country) of origin, or suspicion of having COVID-19, we may be able to help.
For more information or assistance, please call our office at 216-361-9240 and leave a message for an advocate to contact you, or click the button below to report a housing discrimination incident.
Additional Community Resources & Information
- Cleveland Pandemic Response – COVID19 Community Hub
- Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits (Ohio JFS)
- Ohio Department of Health – Coronavirus
- Cleveland Housing Court’s Response to the Coronavirus
- HUD Statement on Fair Housing and COVID-19
For more information on COVID-19 and how to keep yourself and others safe and healthy, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.