The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination by Fannie Mae in the maintenance of its real estate owned (REO) properties.
Housing discrimination is still a problem in Northeast Ohio. In 2015, there were 143 complaints of housing discrimination in Northeast Ohio that were filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, up from the 25-year average of 138.9. Although the increase in cases filed is significant, it represents only a small fraction of the total number of instances of housing discrimination in the region.
(more…)The board and staff are excited to announce the appointment of Carrie Pleasants to Executive Director of the Housing Research & Advocacy Center. Ms. Pleasants had served as the Associate Director of The Housing Center since 2008. Please welcome Carrie and congratulate her on her new position at the Fair Housing Reception on April 28th!
Housing mobility for participants in the housing voucher programs in Cuyahoga County is low as voucher participants are being excluded from high opportunity areas. Housing Research & Advocacy Center’s (The Housing Center) newest report, “Housing Voucher Mobility in Cuyahoga County,” examines the ability of voucher participants to choose where they live and those obstacles that prevent participants from accessing housing in greater opportunity areas. Within Cuyahoga County, households using vouchers are clustered in racially segregated areas, with high poverty, high crime, low educational opportunities, and high exposure to environmental hazards.
(more…)Housing discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community is widespread throughout Cuyahoga County. Housing Research & Advocacy Center’s (The Housing Center) newest report, “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Housing Discrimination in Cuyahoga County” assesses the prevalence of housing discrimination in rental transactions in Cuyahoga County based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
(more…)
Autumn is all about comfort. From pumpkin spiced lattes to cozy sweaters. It’s also time to think about the comforts of home. Come to our Housing Fair: Home Accessibility for Every Age and Stage on October 14, 2015, from 2-7 p.m., at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building, 3450 Lee Road, in Shaker Heights. This free event is open to all residents to meet experts who can help you evaluate your housing options at every stage of life.
(more…)Cleveland, Ohio – An important new fair housing regulation – aimed at promoting diverse, inclusive communities and overcoming the negative effects of segregation – was issued today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The regulation is designed to guide jurisdictions in complying with their existing obligations to “affirmatively further fair housing,” a key provision of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. It requires state and local governments and housing authorities to consider how to eliminate fair housing barriers for people of color, families with children and people with disabilities.
(more…)
This morning the Supreme Court affirmed the fact that the doctrine of disparate impact applies to the application of the Fair Housing Act. This is a major victory for civil rights and all Americans seeking equal and fair access to housing in America. You can link to the court’s decision at http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/13-1371_m64o.pdf
WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a funding bill late Tuesday that will prohibit local fair housing agencies and HUD from effectively enforcing the Fair Housing Act on multiple fronts. Lawmakers approved language that eliminates federal grant funding to local nonprofit fair housing centers making it easier for banks, landlords, and other housing providers to discriminate with impunity. The bill also included language blocking HUD’s nearly final Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, and its disparate impact rule, both of which are important tools to stop illegal housing discrimination and promote safe and stable communities.
(more…)This morning, the Housing Center filed a complaint against Fannie Mae with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of an investigation with the National Fair Housing Alliance and 18 other NFHA member organizations. This complaint is based on Fannie Mae’s consistently poor maintenance and marketing of its properties in middle- and […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and 19 local fair housing organizations announced the filing with HUD of a housing discrimination complaint against Fannie Mae, one of the largest owners of foreclosed homes in the United States. The civil rights groups allege that Fannie Mae maintains and markets its foreclosures (also known as real estate owned or “REO” properties) in White neighborhoods consistently better than in middle- and working-class African American and Latino neighborhoods, a practice that violates the federal Fair Housing Act. The complaint is the result of a five-year investigation.
(more…)May 10, 2015
If it seems harder to find your dream apartment – or afford it – you are not imagining things.
In Cuyahoga County, the overall demand for rental housing is increasing, according to a recently released report from the Cleveland-based Housing Research and Advocacy Center. The Housing Center’s analysis finds that while the county’s population dipped 8 percent between 2000 and 2010, those that remained and new residents showed an increasing preference for renting. In that time period, owner-occupied housing fell 8 percent and renter-occupied housing increased 1.3 percent.
(more…)WASHINGTON, DC–Today, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) released its 2015 Fair Housing Trends Report, “Where You Live Matters.” The report features the importance of fair housing in ensuring access to a quality education, transit options, health care, job opportunities and healthy food. The report also discusses the state of fair housing from a national perspective, with chapters exploring the latest data on housing discrimination, highlights of recent enforcement actions, current public policy shaping access to housing opportunity and recommendations for advancing fair housing nationwide.
(more…)Please note that due to a heating problem, the Independence Realtor Training that will be held on Thursday, February 26, at 12:30 will not be held at the library. It will be held at the Independence Civic Center which is adjacent to the library. We are sorry for any inconvenience. Parking is available in the […]
The 2015 Ashtabula County Rental Factbook offers helpful information for housing providers and consumers about affordable housing and renters in Ashtabula County. Research Associate Michael Lepley, Research Intern Khalid Ali, and Senior Research Associate Mandy Mehlman a provide a useful snapshot of rental housing and demographic information for every city. The Housing Research & Advocacy […]
