Fair Housing Information
Our Services:
Education and Outreach – Disability Rights & Resources has received a 15-month grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide fair housing training, education, and outreach. In the fall of 2007, Disability Rights & Resources conducted a series of workshops in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, and Gaston counties that provided fair housing education and information to people with disabilities, community and faith-based leaders, disability serving agencies, members of the public, and housing providers. In April 2007, Disability Rights & Resources hosted a reception in each of the four counties it serves to observe Fair Housing Month and to kickoff the start of the program.
Complaint Intake and Advocacy – Disability Rights & Resources has two Peer Advocates on staff to discuss fair housing issues with you if you feel you have been discriminated against or denied housing in an illegal manner. They can take provide education regarding fair housing laws, assist with filing a complaint if warranted to the proper agency, perform advocacy throughout the complaint process, and assist with complaint resolution. If you would like to set up an appointment, please contact Steve McCallum or Monique Stamps.
Information and Referral – For people with disabilities who need assistance with housing and other issues, Disability Rights & Resources provides information and referral services. The staff can provide information on accessible housing, reasonable accommodations, and a housing list of available rental units in Mecklenburg County for people with disabilities. Staff also can provide information on community re-integration (nursing home transition) or aging-in-place in the community.
*More information on upcoming Fair Housing and Disabilities workshops can be found on our "Upcoming Event's" page.
Fair Housing Laws:
In the state of North Carolina, the North Carolina Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, mental or physical disabilities, or family status (families with children). The North Carolina Fair Housing Act covers residential housing (sale, rental, and financing), apartments, mobile homes, houses, and vacant lots that will be used for housing. Persons that must abide by this law include anyone who has control over residential property and real estate financing (with a few exceptions) – landlords, rental managers, property owners, individual homeowners who are renting or selling their property, real estate agents, developers, builders, and banks. If you would like to view the North Carolina Fair Housing Act in its entirety, please visit the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. For information on the federal Fair Housing Act, please visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Filing a Complaint:
If you think you have experienced housing related discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, mental or physical disabilities, or family status (families with children) you may contact a Peer Advocate at Disability Rights & Resources to assist you. The alleged discrimination must have occurred within the last year. You also may file a complaint directly with the proper agency. To discuss your situation with a Peer Advocate on our staff or to file a complaint on your own, you will need to have the following information available:
- your contact information including address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available) where you may be reached;
- a secondary contact name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available) if you cannot be reached;
- the date(s) the last alleged incident(s) occurred or if it is on-going;
- a description of what occurred;
- be able to explain why you think you were discriminated against based on one of the seven reasons listed at the beginning of this section;
- where the alleged discrimination took place, including a complete address;
- who discriminated against you including their name, title, and address; and
- any other information you think is relevant to the case.
To file a complaint on your own:
In Mecklenburg County, you may contact the local Fair Housing Assistance Program – the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee at 704-336-2424. Their physical address is 600 East Trade Street, Charlotte NC 28202-2861.
Outside of Mecklenburg County, you may contact the state Fair Housing Assistance Program – the North Carolina Human Relations Commission at 1-866-324-7474 (1-866-Fair Hsg) or at www.doa.state.nc.us/hrc or nc.hrc@ncmail.net.
Their physical address is 217 West Jones Street, 4th Floor, Raleigh, NC 27601.
You also may file a fair housing complaint with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by calling toll free at 1-800-669-9777 or at www.hud.gov.