Fair Housing
Introduction
Residents of the City of Fresno are protected from discrimination in the housing market by the federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act: The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act provides for each of the federal protections and further prohibits discrimination based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, source of income, or genetic information.
City of Fresno Fair Housing Report and Efforts
As a requirement of receiving funds under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA), and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs, the City of Fresno must submit certification of affirmatively furthering fair housing to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The certification has three elements:
- Completing an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI),
- Take actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified, and
- Maintain records reflecting the actions taken in response to the analysis.
The purpose of the AI is to determine impediments to fair housing choice at work within our City and to suggest actions that the local community can consider in order to overcome the identified impediments. The identified impediments, proposed actions and measurable objectives may be reviewed in the AI at:
City of Fresno Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
Actions taken to overcome the effects of the impediments identified in the AI and documentation of annual progress toward achieving measurable objectives may be found in the City’s Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to HUD at:
City of Fresno Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER)
HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
The Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development enforces laws and regulations and administers programs that ensure equal access to housing, guarantees equal opportunity in all HUD programs and prohibits, to a limited extent, discrimination in employment with respect to HUD programs. Additional information on the HUD fair housing program may be found by clicking on the below links.
HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Overview
HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Programs
HUD’s Title VIII Fair Housing Complaint Process
HUD Housing Discrimination Complaint Form (electronic)
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is responsible for enforcing state fair housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate. The law applies to landlords, real estate agents, home sellers, builders, mortgage lenders, and others. The law prohibits discrimination in all aspects of the housing business, including: renting or leasing, sales, mortgage lending and insurance, advertising, practices such as restrictive covenants, and new construction. Additional information on the DFEH fair housing program may be found by clicking on the below links.
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing: Housing
DFEH Fair Housing Complaint Process
DFEH Dispute Resolution Services
Fair Housing Council of Central California
The Fair Housing Council of Central California is a professional, non-profit, civil rights organization dedicated to the elimination of discrimination in housing and the expansion of housing opportunities for all persons. The Fair Housing Council accomplishes its goal through the advocacy of equal housing opportunities, assisting victims of housing discrimination and enforcing compliance with fair housing laws, including the Community Reinvestment Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. It provides a multifaceted program of private enforcement, education and outreach, research and advocacy to affirmatively further the goal of equal housing opportunity in our Valley.