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HUD prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in federal housing programs
“I am proud to announce a new Equal Access to Housing Rule that says clearly and unequivocally that LGBT individuals and couples have the right to live where they choose,” Donovan said during his speech at the 24th annual Creating Change conference. The rule, which will go to into effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register, covers HUD-assisted housing and housing whose financing is insured by HUD. Owners and operators of such housing will be prohibited from inquiring about the sexual orientation or gender identity of applicants or occupants. The rule also protects homebuyers seeking mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Lenders will be prohibited from using LGBT status as a basis to determine borrowers’ eligibility. In his speech announcing the change, Donovan told the story of a Washington State couple, Michelle and Mitch DeShane, whom he said faced discrimination based on gender identity. Donovan said that two years ago Michelle tried to add her husband, a transgender man, to her housing voucher, but her request was denied by the local housing authority, which said the couple did not meet its definition of family. “That’s just wrong,” Donovan said. “No one should be subject to that kind of treatment or denied access to housing assistance because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” This new rule “is just the beginning,” Donovan said. “Training and education are essential to ensuring rules are followed in communities across the country. HUD and its fair housing partners will work to provide guidance and training on the substance of this rule — and the impact it will have for both how we administer HUD programs and also how we enforce our nation’s fair housing laws more broadly.” National Fair Housing Alliance releases issue brief about fair housing, access to opportunity and the housing crisisThe Promise of the Fair Housing Act and the Role of Fair Housing OrganizationsJanuary 26, 2012 — Jorge Andres Soto and Deidre Swesnik of the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) have released an issue brief, “The Promise of Fair Housing and the Role of Fair Housing Organizations,” that explores the ongoing and pervasive nature of discriminatory tactics used to deny housing opportunities to minorities, especially African Americans and Latinos.
Soto and Swesnick report that there are “at least 11,000 incidents of housing discrimination each day throughout the United States” and argue that fair housing groups and government enforcement agencies need far more support to “achieve elimination of housing discrimination in all its forms.” Discriminatory tactics in housing have resulted in a “disproporationate loss of wealth” for “communities of color,” the authors write, citing a Pew Research Center analysis indicating that between 2005 and 2009 median wealth fell 66 percent among Latino households and 53 percent among African-American households, compared to only 16 percent among white households. Attributable to this loss of wealth are “the disproportionately high rates of foreclosure among people of color,” Soto and Swesnick write, pointing to ”the pedding of high-cost subprime, predatory loans in communities of color.” The brief concludes with policy recommendations “that must be taken to address barriers to impede full functioning of the existing fair housing framework and to modernize our civil rights infrastructure as it relates to housing and the need for additional protections against discrimination.” The authors argue that the Fair Housing Act should be amended to ban discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity or because of their legal source of income. Katy Crosby named Human Relations Council Acting DirectorTom Wahlrab retiring after 18 years of city serviceJanuary 25, 2012 — The Dayton City Commission has appointed Catherine (Katy) Crosby as Acting Director of the Human Relations Council (HRC), effective February 1, 2012. Her appointment follows the planned retirement of HRC Director Tom Wahlrab on January 31.
“We are happy to appoint Katy Crosby as HRC Acting Director,” said Mayor Gary Leitzell. “She has served the Dayton community well and we are confident that she will lead the Council’s important work effectively.” City Manager Tim Riordan acknowledged retiring HRC Director Tom Wahlrab’s contributions to the City of Dayton during 18 years of service. “Tom has provided steady, community-focused leadership to the Human Relations Council,” Riordan said. “He has also overseen development of the Welcome Dayton immigrant-friendly city initiative and given that program a strong foundation for continued growth.” HRC, established by the City Commission in 1962, investigates and adjudicates discrimination complaints, implements the PEP program (providing opportunities to minority- and women-owned businesses as well as small and disadvantaged enterprises), and addresses issues that affect the disabled. HRC also operates special programs associated with the agency’s mission, such as public education programs. In addition to staff, HRC is supported by a 10-member board appointed to three-year terms by the City Commission. Previous news items are available here. | Resources and useful linksDon't Risk Your Home
Watch out for predatory lending. Learn more about it by visiting dontrisk yourhome.com.
If you feel you are a victim of predatory lending and live in Montgomery County, Ohio, call the Predatory Lending Solutions hotline at 937-222-9671 if you are currently in foreclosure. If you are not currently in foreclosure, you should call the HomeOwnership Center of Greater Dayton at 937-853-1600. 
Reasonable Modifications and AccommodationsHave questions about what your rights or responsibilities are under the federal Fair Housing Act for persons with disabilities? Now available online in the Services/Reference section are joint statements from the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development that explain reasonable modifications and accommodations.
Affordable senior independent living communities in Dayton and Xenia
St. Mary Development Corporation manages apartment centers around Dayton and in Xenia providing affordable homes and support services for low-income seniors.For more information, visit AffordableSeniorApartments.org or download their printable brochure (in Adobe PDF format). Service Animal PolicyA Service Animal Policy is now available available online in the Services/Reference section. The policy explains what service animals are and how they are a reasonable accommodation under the Federal Fair Housing Act and also provides practice guidelines for housing providers and for tenants.Your Rights & Duties as a Tenant
Although MVFHC does not provide assistance with landlord/tenant issues unrelated to discrimination, the booklet Your Rights and Duties as a Tenant, presented by Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. and Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc., is a useful resource.
Additional Landlord/Tenant infoAlso, if you are a landlord or a tenant wanting information on your rights and duties under Ohio law, the Dayton-Montgomery County Ombudsman's Office has a page about landlord/tenant issues.Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase ListA word and phrase list intended as a guideline to assist in complying with state and federal fair housing laws is available online in the Services/Reference section.Equal Housing Opportunity usage guidelines
Guidelines on the usage of the "Equal Housing Opportunity" logo and slogan are available online in the Services/Reference section.
 
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. To learn how you can save money in your home, visit www.energystar.gov.
Special reportsCopies of special reports such as Analyses of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice released by local jurisdictions as well as other reports done by MVFHC on zoning and predatory lending are available on the reports page. |
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