Housing discrimination continues in Northeast Ohio. People often don’t report it because they don’t know that fair housing is a civil right and that there is help available.
Who is protected?
- Federally Protected Classes:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Sex
- Disability
- Religion
- Familial Status (the presence of children under the age of 18)
- Additional Statewide Protections (Ohio):
- Ancestry
- Military Status
Some local laws also prohibit housing discrimination based on:
- Marital Status
- Creed
- Age
- Source of Income
Possible Signs of Discrimination
Comments like these can be signs of housing discrimination:
- “Families with children can only live in the back of the complex.”
- “I will have to charge you a pet deposit for your guide dog.”
- “You don’t want to live in that neighborhood.”
- “We only rent to people who speak English.”
What is Prohibited?
These actions are illegal if they are done because a person belongs to a protected class:
Rental and Sale of Housing:
- Refuse to rent or sell housing
- Refuse to negotiate for housing
- Make housing unavailable or otherwise restrict choice
- Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of housing
- Provide different housing services or facilities
- Falsely deny that housing is available
- Persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting)
- Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service related to the sale or rental of housing
- Retaliate against a person for making a fair housing complaint.
Mortgage Lending and Insurance:
- Refuse to make a mortgage loan or provide homeowners insurance
- Refuse to provide information regarding loans or insurance
- Impose different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different rates, or fees
- Discriminate in appraising property
- Refuse to purchase a loan
- Set different terms or conditions to purchase a loan
It is also illegal for anyone to:
- Threaten, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.
- Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on a protected class, such as “No Children,” or “Christians Only,” or “Prefer single female.”
Download Fair Housing Resources:
Download the “Know Your Rights” Brochure (PDF File)
Know Your Fair Housing Rights – Arabic
Know Your Fair Housing Rights – Simplified Chinese
Know Your Fair Housing Rights – Traditional Chinese (Taiwanese)
Know Your Fair Housing Rights – Spanish