The Fair Housing Center

In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was enacted to prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Over the years, its protections have expanded to include disability and familial status, ensuring broader inclusivity. Why It Matters Today: Ongoing Protections: The Act continues to safeguard individuals and families from discriminatory practices in renting, buying, or securing financing for housing. Promoting Diversity: By prohibiting discriminatory advertising and practices, the Act fosters diverse and inclusive communities. Legal Recourse: Individuals who face housing discrimination can file complaints with the Department of Housing and (HUD) or pursue legal action, ensuring enforcement of their rights. Current Challenges to Fair Housing Protections: Recent actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) threaten these vital protections: Funding Cuts: DOGE has initiated significant funding reductions for organizations that enforce the Fair Housing Act, potentially increasing housing discrimination. Affordable Housing Projects in Limbo: The Trump administration has halted approximately $60 million in funding meant for affordable housing projects across the U.S., causing major delays and uncertainties for development initiatives. How The Fair Housing Center Assists: As a nonprofit civil rights agency, The Fair Housing Center is dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination and promoting inclusive communities. We offer a range of services to support individuals facing housing discrimination: Advocacy: We stand as your primary supporter if your rights have been violated, providing resources and guidance throughout the process. Education: Through materials distribution, trainings, and outreach events, we ensure everyone is familiar with fair housing rights and can recognize unfair treatment. Investigation: We actively listen to complaints and, when necessary, investigate and pursue enforcement action to ensure equal access to housing opportunities. We are here to fight for you!

Fair Housing Protections for Renters with Disabilities: Know Your Rights! At The Fair Housing Center, we are committed to ensuring equal housing opportunities for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Understanding your rights can empower you to advocate for fair treatment. Key Protections Under the Fair Housing Act: Reasonable Modifications: Tenants with disabilities have the right to make necessary changes to their living spaces, such as installing grab bars or ramps, to ensure full enjoyment of the premises. While these modifications are typically at the tenant's expense, they are essential for accessibility. Reasonable Accommodations: Landlords must adjust policies or services when necessary to provide equal housing opportunities. This could include assigning a reserved parking space close to the entrance for a tenant with mobility impairments, even if parking is generally unassigned. Our Commitment: The Fair Housing Center is dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination and promoting inclusive communities. We offer services such as enforcement and litigation, complaint research and investigation, advocacy, and education and outreach to support fair housing rights. Need Assistance? If you believe your rights have been violated or need guidance on fair housing matters, please contact us at 419-243-6163 or visit our website at toledofhc.org. We're here to help ensure everyone has equal access to housing opportunities. #FairHousing #DisabilityRights #EqualHousing #KnowYourRights #TheFairHousingCenterToledo

?? Stand Up for Fair Housing! ?? Our CEO, George Thomas, has issued an urgent call to action regarding recent threats to fair housing rights. It's crucial for our community to stay informed and engaged. How You Can Help: Read the Open Letter: Understand the challenges we face and how you can make a difference. Follow George Thomas on LinkedIn: Stay updated on fair housing issues and initiatives. Connect with The Fair Housing Center: Join our LinkedIn community to support and advocate for equal housing opportunities. LinkedIn Your Voice Matters: By staying connected, you can help protect and promote fair housing rights for all. #FairHousing #EqualOpportunity #TakeAction Read the Full Letter: https://lnkd.in/gBfZNVmr Call to action: https://lnkd.in/ggsK6h-M Follow George Thomas on LinkedIn:

?Join us for 2nd Annual Homes and Dreams Fundraiser! At Registry Bistro on May 1, 2025, as we present awards to individuals in our community who have shown dedication and investment in advancing the fair housing movement. These honorees have made a significant impact, and we are excited to highlight their contributions. The evening will feature fine dining, entertainment by local saxophonist Mike Williams, and a chance to connect with others who are passionate about fair housing. Don’t miss out on this special night. Get your tickets now at https://lnkd.in/g88avATW Event Details: Date: May 1, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Registry Bistro Activities: Awards Ceremony, Fine Dining, Live Music by Mike Williams, Networking, and More! #HomesAndDreams #FairHousing #Toledo

Test Your Fair Housing Knowledge! Think you know fair housing laws? Answer these 5 questions to find out! 1. Under federal fair housing laws, it is legal to prohibit which of the following in a housing unit? A. Smoking B. A live-in caregiver for a resident with a disability C. Drinking alcohol D. Both A and C 2. Which of the following are violations or potential violations of the Fair Housing Act? A. A seller tells you he does not want to sell to African Americans B. A sales associate puts the phrase “adults only” in MLS listings C. Both A and B D. None of the above 3. Under the federal fair housing law, the seven protected classes include: A. Race, color, source of income, handicap, national origin, marital status, religion B. Race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin C. Race, sexual orientation, sex, familial status, handicap, age, national origin D. None of the above 4. The fair housing laws prohibit all of the following, except: A. Refusal to show, sell, or rent a property because of disability B. Expressing a preference for young adults in a listing comment C. Evicting a current user of illegal drugs D. Marketing your listings exclusively in a religious publication 5. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 does which of the following? A. Grants all citizens the same rights as white citizens to own, purchase, lease, transfer, or use real property B. Allows exemptions only for homes sold without the assistance of a real estate practitioner C. Effectively prohibits all discrimination in real estate based on race D. Both A and C Answers: 1. D. Both A and C 2. C. Both A and B 3. B. Race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin 4. C. Evicting a current user of illegal drugs 5. D. Both A and C How did you do? Share your score in the comments below! #FairHousingQuiz #KnowYourRights #EqualHousingOpportunity

Last year’s Homes & Dreams event was unforgettable! From celebrating local fair housing champions ?? to an evening filled with great food, music, and community impact, it was truly a night to remember! ?? Guests enjoyed live entertainment, inspiring speeches, and the honor of recognizing those making a difference in fair housing. We laughed, we danced, we celebrated, and most importantly, we came together to support fair housing in Toledo! ?? ?? Now, get ready—because we’re bringing it back even bigger in 2025! ?? ?? Save the Date: May 1, 2025 ?? Location: Registry Bistro ?? Entertainment: Featuring local artist Mike Williams on saxophone! ?? ??? Experience: Strolling dinner, cash bar, and an evening celebrating fair housing progress! ? Tickets are now available! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this year’s incredible night. Let’s make 2025’s Homes & Dreams event just as amazing—if not better! ??? Get your tickets now: https://lnkd.in/gdK85Z3D ?? Tag a friend who should be there with you! #HomesAndDreams2025 #FairHousingToledo #CelebrateChange #CommunityImpact #ToledoEvents

Did You Know? In Ohio, your military status is protected under fair housing laws. This means landlords, sellers, and agents cannot treat you unfairly because of your service. Know Your Rights: Equal Treatment: You cannot be denied housing or charged higher fees due to your military status. Lease Flexibility: If you're deployed or get new orders, you can end your lease early without penalty. Eviction Protection: While on active duty, you have protections against eviction under certain conditions. Facing Discrimination? If you believe you've been treated unfairly in housing due to your military status, contact The Fair Housing Center of Toledo. We're here to support you and ensure your rights are upheld. Spread the Word Share this information with fellow service members and veterans. Everyone deserves fair and equal housing opportunities. #FairHousing #MilitarySupport #KnowYourRights #TheFairHousingCenterToledo

Fair Housing & Artificial Intelligence: Is Technology Helping or Hurting? AI is changing many parts of our lives, including housing. But is it making things better or worse for fair housing? The Promise of AI in Housing AI can help landlords and real estate agents by: Quick Tenant Screening: AI can quickly check applications, saving time. Targeted Advertising: AI can show housing ads to people looking for homes. The Problems with AI However, AI can also cause problems: Bias in Screening: Some AI tools might unfairly reject people of color or those with low incomes. For example, an AI tool called SafeRent gave lower scores to Black and Hispanic renters, making it harder for them to find housing. This led to a lawsuit and changes in how the tool works. Discriminatory Advertising: AI can wrongly prevent certain groups from seeing housing ads. In 2019, Facebook faced charges for allowing advertisers to exclude people based on race, religion, and other protected traits. What’s Being Done? The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is taking action: Guidelines Issued: HUD released guidelines to prevent AI from being used in discriminatory ways in tenant screening and advertising. Holding Platforms Accountable: HUD emphasizes that using AI doesn't excuse discrimination. Both landlords and tech companies must ensure their AI tools comply with fair housing laws. Our Role in Ensuring Fairness At The Fair Housing Center of Toledo, we believe: Stay Informed: Understand how AI is used in housing decisions. Advocate for Fair Practices: Speak out against biased AI tools. Support Affected Individuals: Help those facing discrimination due to AI. Your Rights Matter Remember, technology should promote fairness, not hinder it. If you feel you've faced discrimination in housing, contact us. We're here to help and ensure that AI serves everyone equally. #FairHousing #ArtificialIntelligence #EqualOpportunity #TheFairHousingCenterToledo

?Join us for 2nd Annual Homes and Dreams Fundraiser! At Registry Bistro on May 1, 2025, as we present awards to individuals in our community who have shown dedication and investment in advancing the fair housing movement. These honorees have made a significant impact, and we are excited to highlight their contributions. The evening will feature fine dining, entertainment by local saxophonist Mike Williams, and a chance to connect with others who are passionate about fair housing. Don’t miss out on this special night. Get your tickets now at https://lnkd.in/gMj-yrWs Event Details: Date: May 1, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Registry Bistro Activities: Awards Ceremony, Fine Dining, Live Music by Mike Williams, Networking, and More! #HomesAndDreams #FairHousing #Toledo

Celebrating Women in Fair Housing, Vel Phillips (1923–2018), a fearless leader who fought tirelessly for fair housing rights. In 1962, as the first Black woman on Milwaukee’s City Council, Phillips introduced a groundbreaking bill to ban housing discrimination. The vote? 18 to 1—with Phillips as the only supporter. But she refused to back down. By 1967, she joined forces with the NAACP Youth Council, leading 200 straight nights of protests for fair housing. She was arrested, harassed, and ignored—until the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Just weeks later, Milwaukee finally passed an open housing law, aligning with the newly signed Fair Housing Act. Phillips went on to break more barriers as Wisconsin’s first Black judge and Secretary of State, but her legacy remains rooted in the fight for equal housing. Her persistence reminds us that change takes courage, resilience, and action. #WomensHistoryMonth #FairHousingMatters #VelPhillips