Fair Housing-It’s not an Option, It’s the Law
Fair Housing
ELKHART HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
We investigate housing complaints based on the seven protected classes: Race, Color, Sex, Religion, National Origin, Disability, and Familial Status. If you believe your rights may have been violated, we encourage you to submit a complaint.
Because there are time limits on when a complaint can be filed with your local agency or HUD after an alleged violation, you should submit a complaint as soon as possible.
When submitting a complaint, please provide as much information as possible, including:
- Your name and address;
- The name and address of the person(s) or organization your complaint is against;
- The address or other identification of the housing or program involved;
- A short description of the event(s) that cause you to believe your rights were violated; and
- The date(s) of the alleged violation.
Investigamos quejas de vivienda en base a las siete clases protegidas: raza, color, sexo, religión, origen nacional, discapacidad y estado familiar. Si cree que se pueden haber violado sus derechos, le recomendamos que presente una queja.
Debido a que existen límites de tiempo sobre cuándo se puede presentar una queja ante su agencia local o HUD después de una supuesta violación, debe presentar una queja lo antes posible.
Al enviar una queja, proporcione la mayor cantidad de información posible, que incluye:
- Su nombre y dirección;
- El nombre y la dirección de la(s) persona(s) u organización contra la que se presenta su queja;
- La dirección u otra identificación de la vivienda o programa involucrado;
- Una breve descripción de los eventos que le hacen creer que se violaron sus derechos; y
- La(s) fecha(s) de la supuesta violación.
Please contact Elkhart Human Relations Commission at:
201 South Second Street
Elkhart, Indiana 46516
(574) 294-5471
HumanRelationsmail@coei.org
Complaints can arise from the way you advertise, show units, apply occupancy standards, and enforce community rules.
10 Dos & Don’ts for Dealing with Families with Children
By: Fair Housing Coach
Rule #1
DO Make Housing Available to Families with Children
DON’T Deny Housing Because There’s a Child in the Household
Rule #2
DO Follow the Rules to Qualify for the Senior Housing Exemption
DON’T Adopt or Enforce Adults-Only Policy
Rule #3
DO Apply Same Terms and Conditions Regardless of Familial Status
DON’T Treat Prospects Differently Because They Have Children
Rule #4
DO Be Prepared to Justify Reasonableness of Occupancy Standards
DON’T Apply Unreasonably Restrictive Occupancy Standards
Rule #5
DO Be Careful About Applying Occupancy Standards When a Child Joins a Household
DON’T Penalize Residents for Having a Baby
Rule #6
DO Tell Prospects About All Units that Fit Their Needs
DON’T Engage in Unlawful Steering Based on Familial Status
Rule #7
DO Adopt Child-Neutral Community Rules
DON’T Allow Rules to Unfairly Target Children
Rule #8
DO Focus Advertising on Property, Not People
DON’T Suggest that Children Aren’t Welcome at Your Community
Rule #9
DO Abide by Legal Obligations Involving Lead-Based Paint
DON’T Deny Housing to Families with Children Due to the Presence of Lead Paint
Rule #10
DO Review Student Housing Policies Affecting Students with Children
DON’T Risk Fair Housing Trouble in Student Housing Based on Familial Status
Principal Eric Chandler and Dana Irving of Pride Academy at Bristol Elementary welcomed Elkhart’s Fair Housing Investigator Dana Donald. Ms. Donald (pictured second from left) read “The Fair Housing Five” to some of the students on Friday, March 23, 2022. “The Fair Housing Five” is an illustrated children’s book about kids who take action in their neighborhood in response to a landlord who is discriminating. Our hope is that the information from the book will initiate conversations between the children and their families as well as empower youth to advocate for justice and create positive change in their communities.
Fair Housing Resources
Did you know that there are seven Protected Classes? Race, Color, Sex, Religion, National Origin, Disability, and Familial Status.
The following resources were created to inform the community of their Fair Housing Rights. Contact the Elkhart Human Relations Commission at 574-294-5471 with any questions.
Did you know that 85% of people in Elkhart are not aware that they have the right to file a fair housing complaint if they feel they’ve faced housing discrimination?
Keep up the great work, Dana!
Principal Eric Chandler and Dana Irving of Pride Academy at Bristol Elementary welcomed Elkhart’s Fair Housing Investigator Dana Donald. Ms. Donald (pictured second from left) read “The Fair Housing Five” to some of the students on Friday, March 23, 2022. “The Fair Housing Five” is an illustrated children’s book about kids who take action in their neighborhood in response to a landlord who is discriminating. Our hope is that the information from the book will initiate conversations between the children and their families as well as empower youth to advocate for justice and create positive change in their communities.
Fair Housing Events Calendar.
Fair Housing Events Calendar.
