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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFH-brochure` Your Rights and What the Act Prohibits Examples of Housing Discrimination Contact Information for Filing a Complaint If you feel that you have been discrimi- nated against while obtaining housing or looking for a mortgage or homeown- ers insurance, you can contact the fol- lowing agencies to file a complaint: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Atlanta Regional Office Telephone (404) 331-5140 Toll Free 1-800-440-8091 TTY (404) 730-2654 Or you can file online at www.hud.gov/ offices/fheo/online-complaint.cfm North Carolina Department of Administra- tion, Human Relations Commission (NCHRC) Telephone/TDD (919) 807-4420 Toll Free 1-866-324-7474 Website www.doa.state.nc.us/hrc HUD or NCHRC will investigate to deter- mine whether unlawful discrimination has occurred. It is your right to file a civil suit at your own expense at any time based on a violation of the fair housing laws with- out filing a complaint with HUD or NCHRC. Please call NCHRC for more information about the fair housing com- plaint and resolution process. What To Do if You Suspect Housing Discrimination Disability Access Design Standards can be found at Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST V/TTY 1-888-341-7781 Website www.FairHousingFIRST.org New Hanover County Planning & Inspections Department | Community Development The Fair Housing Act New Hanover County Planning & Inspections Department | Community Development 230 Government Center Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 798-7165 www.nhcgov.com/planningandinspections Fair Housing Fair Housing -- It’s Not anIt’s Not an OptionOption It’s the LawIt’s the Law Partner Agencies City of Wilmington Wilmington Housing Authority Brunswick Housing Opportunities Pender County Housing Department Cape Fear Regional CDC Catholic Charities AMEZ Housing Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Cape Fear Land Trust Printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper made with wind power Everyone has a right to equal housing opportunities. Tenants and prospective home buyers of any race, color, religion, na- tional origin or gender, including people with disabilities and families with children, are pro- tected against housing discrimi- nation by The Fair Housing Act, a federal law enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). People with disabilities have additional pro- tections. HUD's definition of being disabled (or handicapped) includes people with physical, mental or developmental disabilities, HIV/AIDS related illnesses or who are recovering from al- cohol or substance abuse. People with disabilities have the right to make improve- ments to rented homes at their own expense if the work is necessary for them to live there. They also have the right to ask landlords to agree to reasonable exemp- tions from tenants' rules. For instance, a no-pets policy should be waived for a visually impaired tenant with a guide dog. The law also protects families with children under 18, covers pregnant women, people ar- ranging for an adoption and anyone who has permanent or occasional custody of children under 18, such as foster parents or grandpar- ents. Housing designated for the use of seniors over 55 is exempt from this requirement under the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA). Examples of Housing Discrimination Refusing to sell to, rent to, or otherwise deal with an interested tenant or buyer. Applying different sale, rental or occupancy terms for different people. The refusal by real estate professionals or com- panies to serve minority customers, steering customers to certain neighborhoods, or making claims about the racial makeup of an area. Lying about the availability of housing. This includes telling people of color, families or a disabled person that an apartment is already taken, when it is not. “Blockbusting” or frightening people into rent- ing or selling their property by manipulating their prejudices. For example, telling people that a minority group is moving into the area. Discrimination in financing housing by a bank or other business. This includes charging cred- itworthy minority customers higher interest rates than white customers. Harassing tenants and homeowners into aban- doning their leases or leaving their homes. This includes racial and sexual harassment, such as slurs and threats of violence and sexual ad- vances and innuendoes. Local zoning laws that have an unfair effect on minorities and are discriminatory in nature. For example, laws that restrict the size or number of occupants in a home, or disallow accessory dwelling units. These regulations have been used to target Latino and Asian households who may live with several generations under the same roof. Refusing to permit reasonable accommoda- tions for assistive aides, assistive animals, parking, or physical modifications to existing properties or refusing to provide wheelchair accessible housing in new multifamily con- struction. Prohibited Mortgage and Insurance practices can be more difficult to recognize. They in- clude: Refusal to make a mortgage loan and/or provide information re- garding loans Imposition of different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points, or fees Discrimination in appraising property Refusal to provide homeowners insurance coverage for a dwelling because of the race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, or national origin of the owner and/ or occupants Discrimination in the terms or conditions of homeowners insurance coverage because of the race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, or national origin of the owner and/or occupants Refusal to provide homeowners insurance, or imposing less favorable terms or condi- tions of coverage because of the race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status or national origin of the residents of the neighborhood in which a dwelling is located Fair Housing Act Prohibitions and Examples of Discrimination If you believe you were treated unfairly in obtaining housing, you have the right to file a complaint with HUD.