Fair Housing
Equal access in housing is a right, not a privilege.
The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability.
The CRC works tirelessly to prevent and ameliorate the affects of discrimination in our community. We accept formal complaints from citizens who feel they have been discriminated against in housing because of their race, color, religion, national origin, gender, familial status or disability.
The Fair Housing staff document and investigate citizens' complaints and conduct standardized testing of alleged violators' facilities. We also provide referrals to the Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities, which advises local government officials about accommodations in programs, services and facilities.
The intake, investigation, enforcement, education and outreach services are provided in conjunction with the Federal Fair Housing Assistance Program and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Religion Fair Housing Video Transcript
>> Amara: Hi, CJ, do you have a minute?
>> CJ Property Management: Hi, Amara, how can I help you?
>> Amara: I'm checking to see if you received my request to rent the community room for a Hanukkah celebration with my family
>> CJ Property Management: We did but unfortunately, the community room is only available for Christmas celebrations during the month of December
>> Amara: You can't be serious!
>> CJ Property Manager: I'm sorry, Amara. You'll have to find somewhere else to celebrate.
>> ANNOUNCER: Lack of access and being treated differently based on your race, religion, color, familial status, gender, national origin or disability is not ok!
If you think you have been discriminated against or that your fair housing rights have been violated, call us.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Department is here to help. 704-336-5160.
April is Fair Housing Month
In honor of the Fair Housing Act being signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on April 11, 1968 and in remembrance of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, April is set aside as National Fair Housing Month.
Fundamentally, fair housing means that every person can live free. This means that our communities are open and welcoming, free from housing discrimination and hostility. But this also means that each one of us, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability, has access to neighborhoods of opportunity, where our children can attend quality schools, our environment allows us to be healthy, and economic opportunities and self-sufficiency can grow.
Our commitment to fair housing is a living commitment, one that reflects the needs of America today and prepares us for a future of true integration.
Additional Fair Housing Video and Resources
Fair Housing Brochures
Fair Housing and NDO Brochure(PDF, 787KB)
Fair Housing and NDO Brochure Spanish(PDF, 2MB)
Individuals with Disability Brochure(PDF, 3MB)
Individuals with Disability Brochure Spanish(PDF, 2MB)
Assistance Animals and Fair Housing Fact Sheet(PDF, 1MB)