Testimonials

I attended a press conference today to recognize an Equal Rights Center study done on domestic violence. The study found that 65% of domestic violence victims are discriminated against by landlords.

In 2007, I co-sponsored a law to prevent this kind of discrimination.

According to the law it is illegal for a landlord to:

Deny someone housing because they are the victim of abuse
Evict someone because of they are being abused
Penalize someone for ending their lease early due to abuse

Clearly, more enforcement is necessary and I commend the efforts of ERC to bring this issue to light.

-Councilmember Jim Graham, Ward 1, D.C. City Council, April 22, 2008

Our graduate students have worked with ERC staff on two projects since the beginning of 2007. The first project examined rights-related barriers to housing, and the second project focused on finding creative ways to boost accessibility in places of public accommodation. Both projects allowed students to apply their academic training in public policy, public administration, law, and other fields while learning about some of the most pressing rights issues in the District. For many students, it was their first opportunity to dive into a real policy issue, and to work closely with a "client" to provide relevant research. The willingness of staff to work closely with the students as they explored these very weighty issues was critical of making both projects a success. I look forward to continuing the relationship in the future.

-Nancy Augustine, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, George Washington University

I had clients that were hurt by actions of a cooperative board, which indirectly hurt me as well. As a businessperson, it is usually easier just to forget about a deal that has failed and to move on, but in the circumstances we felt that we needed to address the wrong. I was lucky that someone mentioned the ERC, and was so grateful for the competent, professional, and savvy people that worked effectively on our case. They guided us through several administrative processes and, following an official finding of cause in our favor, were able to negotiate monetary and declaratory relief. The end result was very satisfying and fair. There is no question but that I could not, and would not, have been able to succeed on my own. I am also quite confident that most law firms would not have been interested in a relatively small case like ours. ERC filled the gap, and addressed both the financial harm and, further, has ensured in the settlement that future buyers will be treated in a fair way, which is good for the market.

-Luke Tullberg, Real-Estate Agent and ERC Plaintiff

“Yo y varios otros inquilinos fuimos víctimas de discriminación en base a nuestro origen nacional por parte del dueño de nuestro edificio. Fue entonces que buscamos la asistencia del Equal Rights Center. El personal del Equal Rights Center nos explicó nuestros derechos y más que todo, nos ayudó a ganar justicia. El personal experto y bilingüe del ERC llevó a cabo una investigación completa y sumamente profesional, explicándonos en detalle cada paso del proceso administrativo. Nos consideramos muy afortunados de haber encontrado los servicios del ERC.”

The owner of my building discriminated against me and other tenants because of our national origin. We sought assistance from the Equal Rights Center because we believed that we had been discriminated against. The staff of the ERC was helpful in explaining our rights and eventually helping us find justice. The bilingual and expert staff of the ERC demonstrated professionalism and thoroughness throughout the investigative process. They took time to explain every detail of the process we were involved in. We feel very fortunate to have found the services of the ERC.

-Orlando Argueta, ERC Client

File a Complaint Become a Tester Metro Access Complaint Log