Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Equal Rights Center?

 

The Equal Rights Center is a private not-for-profit civil rights organization that was founded in 1999 by a group of interdenominational clergy and community leaders. The ERC is the first comprehensive civil rights organization in the nation dedicated to furthering the advancement of equal access and opportunity in housing, employment, and places of public accommodations.

 

The ERC provides a multi-faceted program of private enforcement, voluntary compliance services, education and outreach, civil rights and diversity training, and research. We have decades of experience working within private, public, and government sectors to positively affect nondiscrimination policies at all levels and to combat persistent discriminatory practices that continue to place many individuals and families at a disadvantage and illegally deny them access to opportunities.

 

Although the ERC’s initiatives are designed to ensure greater compliance with federal, state and local civil rights laws, we stand in opposition to discrimination not only because it is illegal, but because it is immoral.

 

Please check out About Us for more information.

 

 

What can the ERC do for an individual?

 

The ERC receives, investigates, and analyzes complaints of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. The ERC also counsels and refers victims of discrimination to civil rights attorneys and governmental enforcement agencies.

 

In fair housing law, DC residents are also protected against discrimination on the basis of age, marital status, source of income (including Section 8 housing vouchers), sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, and place of residence or business. Maryland residents are protected against discrimination on the basis of marital status. Virginia residents are protected against discrimination on the basis of elderliness.

 

Part of this process involves professionally testing for housing, employment, and public accommodation.

 

For more information, please see What We Do.

 

 

How do I file a complaint with the ERC?

 

To file a complaint, please call the ERC at (202) 234-3062 between the hours of 9-5, Monday through Friday. If you cannot call within normal business hours, leave a message for any staff member and we will be sure to call you back as quickly as is possible. You can also send an e-mail to info@equalrightscenter.org or write to us at 11 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20009.

 

 

What is testing? How do I become a tester?

 

For information on becoming a tester, please see Testing.

 

 

I don’t think I’ve been discriminated against, but I still need help. Where can I go?

 

Check out our extensive listing of other helpful organizations in the Resources section.