 Investigation Finds Adverse Treatment of Latinos in 55% of Rental Housing Inquiries
The Equal Rights Center and Drinker Biddler & Reath LLP have released a testing-based report revealing that Latinos seeking rental housing across the Commonwealth of Virginia experienced at least one form of adverse treatment as compared to their white counterparts in 55 percent of inquiries. The report, Precaución: Obstacles for Latinos in the Virginia Rental Housing Market, is based on a series of 106 tests.
Click here to download a copy of the report.
Click here to download an accessible version of the report.
In April, the ERC relased it's latest source of income discrimination report, "Will You Take My Voucher? An Update on Source of Income Discrimination in the District of Columbia." For nearly a decade, the ERC has monitored landlords and rental management agents in the nation’s capital to determine their compliance with source of income protections, and has worked to end discrimination against voucher holders.
This report update, based on source of income testing conducted by the ERC between July 2011 and January 2013, confirms that the ERC’s education and outreach efforts continue to bear fruit, but that discrimination against voucher holders persists. In the most recent testing, voucher holders were subject to discrimination 28% of the time. While much improved, continued education and advocacy is needed to address the more than 1 out of 4 voucher holders who still experience some form of discrimination.
Click here to download a PDF of the report.
From guide dogs that help blind individuals navigate their surroundings, to cats that provide emotional support to people suffering from depression, there are numerous types of assistance animals available to people with disabilities. However, federal laws governing the right to be accompanied by these animals in various settings can be confusing. This toolkit is designed to help define and categorize the different types of assistance animals, and to inform those who use an assistance animal of their rights and what they can do if they experience discrimination.
Read an accessible version of the Assistance Animal Users’ Public Accommodations and Fair Housing Toolkit >>
A report released by the ERC found that individuals using guide dogs experience a 31 percent rate of discriminatory treatment while seeking rental housing in the greater Washington, D.C. area.
“Despite legal protections, thousands of individuals who use service animals encounter discrimination that acts as a barrier to their ability to secure safe and affordable housing, which has far reaching impact on their overall quality of life,” said Don Kahl, Executive Director of the Equal Rights Center. “Refusing to provide the legally required accommodation for a guide dog is simply unacceptable. By raising awareness about the issue, the ERC hopes to see the day when no individual with a disability is forced to choose between the use of their service animal and the ability to live in the home of their choice.”
Download an accessible Word document of the report here
This handbook highlights compliance oversights made during design and construction which are common among projects subject to the Fair Housing Act (the Act). It can be used as a guide by design and construction professionals. Practical solutions to consider for mitigating oversights are offered and are based on lessons learned. This document is not a safe harbor for compliance with the Act; departures from solutions recommended in this guide are acceptable as long as the solution selected achieves compliance with the requirements of the Act.
The ERC launched a new PSA campaign that focuses on housing discrimination against same sex couples in the D.C. metro area. The campaign will run in the Washington Post Express and Street Sense starting Monday, September 24, and running through October.
“An individual’s ability to obtain adequate and safe housing of their choice significantly impacts all aspects of daily life,” said ERC Executive Director, Don Kahl. “Through recent civil rights victories, new doors are opening every day for the LGBT community, yet much work remains to ensure equality. The Equal Rights Center hopes this campaign will enlighten even more individuals about their rights to seek housing free from discrimination.”
A report released by the ERC found that 45% of Deaf or hard of hearing individuals who use telecommunications relay service experienced discriminatory treatment while seeking rental housing in the greater Washington, D.C. area.
“Despite technological strides and comprehensive civil rights protections, many housing providers still leave the Deaf and hard of hearing who rely on relay services to conduct daily activities disconnected,” said Don Kahl, Executive Director of the Equal Rights Center. “We have the technology to achieve equal housing opportunities for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Housing providers simply are not utilizing it, and that has got to change.”
Download an accessible word version of the report.
The ERC released a report based on an expansive investigation, highlighting a 45% rate of discrimination against individuals attempting to use Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) in the District of Columbia. The report, Still in Search of Decent Housing, was issued as a follow up to a 2005 ERC report that documented a staggering 61% rate of discrimination against voucher holders in the District.
Download a PDF of report>>
Download accessible word version of report>>
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Where we live can have far reaching impact on our quality of life. An individual’s right to choose where he or she lives affects all aspects of life, including employment and educational opportunities, proximity to friends and family, access to transportation, commercial and governmental services, and even personal safety. In addition to limiting these important measures of quality of life, housing discrimination also reinforces patterns of residential segregation and poverty. 
Download the Assistance Animal Users’ Public Accommodations and Fair Housing Toolkit
Fair Housing Act Best Practices Handbook 
Equal Rights Center Launches “Love Thy Neighbor” Campaign Focused on Housing Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation
