Do you ever look at the current state of housing in your community and wonder how we got here? What were the policies put into place, or the events that occurred, throughout history that have contributed to the issues we are experiencing today? Learning about the local history of redlining, segregation, homelessness, and other housing issues gives us important context and a better understanding of the current housing landscape, and the issues we continue to face in our region. Luckily, you don’t have to look far to find resources that will deepen your knowledge on these topics. In honor of Nat ..read more

Sign directly opposite the Sojourner Truth, a federal housing project, in Detroit, Michigan (February 1942). A riot was caused by white neighbors’ attempt to prevent African American tenants from moving in. (Source: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/photograph-records/2013-3716) Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley recently stated that America has “never been a racist country.” Whether she truly believes this claim, or it was an attempt to appeal to her political base, Haley isn’t alone in her misguided stance on America’s racism (or lack thereof). In fact, the American pub ..read more

In the U.S., there is a significant need for accessible housing – and a concerning lack of accessible units available. Despite the fact that 8.2% of Americans – and 28.6% of seniors – have a physical disability, less than 5% of the national housing supply is accessible. Moreover, less than 1% of housing is wheelchair-accessible. Studies show that 6.8 million households experience accessibility challenges in their homes. The U.S. is approximately 3 million to 6 million houses short of what is needed in terms of accessible housing. The Right to Reasonable Modifications ..read more

The fair housing movement supports the idea that every person living in the United States—regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or familial status—should have equal access to the most basic of needs: a place to call home. While many forms of housing discrimination have been illegal for more than fifty-five years, the work is far from over. Fair housing advocates and organizations throughout the country continuously work to eliminate housing discrimination and create a reality where housing is fair and equitable for all ..read more

Locally and nationally, we are seeing a dramatic rise in housing discrimination complaints. Recently, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) released its 2023 Fair Housing Trends Report, which annually examines trends in housing discrimination and provides policy recommendations. The findings of NFHA’s report, along with The Fair Housing Center’s 2023 State of Fair Housing in Northeast Ohio report, confirm that housing discrimination continues to be a persistent and pervasive issue affecting communities throughout the U.S. According to the National Fair Housing Alliance, this rise in compl ..read more

Each October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month unites advocates across the nation in their efforts to end domestic violence. It is an opportunity to be intentional about raising our collective awareness about domestic violence and working to put an end to abuse for good. In light of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, The Fair Housing Center would like to acknowledge the barriers to safe, fair, and stable housing that many survivors of domestic violence face. Housing discrimination based on a person’s status as a survivor of domestic violence often results in survivors experiencing increased ..read more

Each September, National Recovery Month is celebrated to honor the strength and resilience of the recovery community, as well as the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible. Additionally, it is a time for us to rethink how we can each do our part in order to ensure that every American has access to the services and support they need to recover and rebuild their lives. Nearly 1 in 3 adults has a substance use disorder or mental illness. Odds are, you or someone you know will struggle with substance use disorder or mental illness at some point ..read more

In May, the Biden Administration officially ended the public health emergency, which was declared when the COVID-19 pandemic began over three years ago. While the idea of putting COVID-19 behind us may provide some relief, we must recognize the long-term pandemic-related effects that our communities continue to experience. At the start of the pandemic, some thought it would be the “great equalizer,” meaning it would be an equal threat to all people. In reality, the COVID-19 pandemic proved to have the opposite effect, exacerbating existing inequities in our society and hitting certain communi ..read more

Each year, landlords file around 3.6 million eviction cases — and that number is on the rise. Not only does an eviction have a detrimental effect on a person’s immediate housing stability, but just one eviction on a person’s record has the potential to lock them out of future housing opportunities, sometimes forever. Many housing providers have a blanket policy refusing to rent to any applicants who have a prior eviction on their record. While some see no issue with this type of policy, others argue that blanket bans on past evictions can violate a person’s fair housing rights. Although peopl ..read more

It’s no secret that the United States has a long history of discrimination and inequity. Whether you look at the history of education, employment, or housing, the story is largely the same. For decades, people of color and other marginalized groups have been excluded from the benefits of the so-called “American Dream.” In response, a number of affirmative policies and programs have been formed in an effort to combat past harm and allow for more equitable access to opportunity. The recent Supreme Court decision to strike down affirmative action prompts us to reflect on the reasons that affirma ..read more