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

Fair Housing Center staff, board, and supporters marching in the 2023 Pride in the CLE March. (Photo credit: Mx. Gay Photography) June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community, as we advocate for a more inclusive society, where every person is free to be their full, authentic self. While progress has been made over the years, many LGBTQ+ Americans continue to experience discrimination in their personal lives, in the workplace, in health care, and in housing. In order to create a safer, more equitable world for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation ..read more

By Austin Cummings, Research Associate “Financial violence is racial violence: geographies of housing financialization spatialize hierarchies of death-dealing difference.” – ­Desire Fields and Elora Lee Raymond (2021). Racialized geographies of housing financialization. Progress in Human Geography. Vol.45(6) 1625-1645. DOI: 10.1177/03091132521009299. Home improvement, repair, and update projects serve a number of purposes. They help households increase the equity in their homes, make important and necessary repairs to preserve the longevity and safety of their homes, adapt their homes to the ..read more

What is Fair Housing Month? Each April, fair housing advocates, organizations, and local communities across the country celebrate National Fair Housing Month by hosting a variety of activities and events that increase public awareness of fair housing work, and highlight the importance of creating equitable and inclusive communities. The month-long observance celebrates the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, which was officially signed into law 55 years ago, on April 11, 1968, by President Johnson. Thanks to the Fair Housing Act, every person living in ..read more

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the contributions of women throughout history and in modern society. While much of the history we’re taught centers around men, make no mistake — women and non-binary people have always played an important role in every facet of our society, including in the housing justice movement. This Women’s History Month, we are highlighting five influential women who are making important contributions to housing justice work in the United States. In no particular order, here are five inspiring housing advocates you need to know about: 1. Rasheedah Phi ..read more