This week, we are excited to introduce to you our Research Associate, Lenore Mangiarelli. Lenore is an essential part of all of the research-related work that our organization does — read more below!
What brought you to the Fair Housing Center?
After graduating from public policy school, I wanted to work for an organization that serves those in need. When I found the Fair Housing Center, it was a great fit—we serve those in need, defend civil rights, and I have the opportunity to use my policy research skills daily.
How long have you worked here?
Three years in November.
Can you briefly describe your role at the Fair Housing Center?
I am the Research Associate at the Fair Housing Center. I work with our Senior Research Associate in conducting fair housing and fair lending research, co-authoring multiple reports each year on relevant housing topics. I also am a test coordinator, assigning rental, sales, and lending tests, and training new rental testers several times a year.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I would say I have two favorite aspects to my job: 1) Each year, I find it so interesting to delve into a specific fair housing issue through research and engage with individuals who face discrimination to purposefully tell their experience and 2) I really enjoy working as a test coordinator, analyzing testers’ interactions with housing providers and providers’ compliance with fair housing law.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am an avid reader, love to bake, and enjoy singing and (ballroom) dancing when I can. My husband and I also enjoy hiking with our dog and kayaking at the lake by our house.
If you could choose one fair housing issue that you wish people knew more about, what would it be?
Recently, our research department published a report on housing discrimination against people who use housing choice vouchers, many of whom in Cuyahoga County are single women of color with children. Our research highlighted the difficulties they face in their search for housing, particularly rampant discrimination and outright denials. I wish more people understood how SOI (source of income) discrimination affects vulnerable individuals and families and would work to offer them more housing choice.
Stay tuned for more spotlights by following the hashtag #FacesOfFairHousing on Instagram and be sure to check back for weekly content on our blog.