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Fair Housing Protection

Examples of Unlawful Discrimination
Unlawful housing discrimination can take a variety of forms.  Under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act and Unruh Civil Rights Act, it is unlawful for a landlord, managing agent, real estate broker, or sales person to discriminate against any person because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to them, as well as gender and perception of gender), sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, medical condition, or age in any of the following ways:

  • Refusing to sell, rent, or lease.
  • Refusing to negotiate for a sale, rental, or lease.
  • Representing that housing in not available for inspection, sale, or rental when it is, in fact, available.
  • Otherwise denying or withholding housing accommodations.
  • Providing inferior housing terms, conditions, privileges, facilities, or services.
  • Harassing a person in connection with housing accommodations.
  • Canceling or terminating a sale or rental agreement.
  • Providing segregated or separated housing accommodations.
  • Refusing to permit a person with a disability, at the person with a disability's own expense, to make reasonable modifications to a rental unit that are necessary to allow the person with a disability "full enjoyment of the premises."  As a condition of making the modifications, the landlord may require the person with a disability to enter into an agreement to restore the interior of the rental unit to its previous condition at the end of the tenancy (excluding reasonable wear and tear).
  • Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when necessary to allow a person with a disability "equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling" (for example, refusing to allow a person with a  disability's companion or service dog).

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing investigates housing discrimination complaints.  The department's Housing Enforcement unit can be reach at 1-800-233-3212.  You can learn about the department's complaint process at www.dfeh.ca.gov.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces the federal fair housing law, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, and handicap (disability).  To contact HUD, and file a complaint, visit http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp. 

Legal Aid Organizations - Provide free legal advice, representation, and other legal services in noncriminal cases to economically disadvantaged persons.  You may contact Visalia's Legal Aid at 559 733-8770.

Fair Housing Council of Central California (FHCCC)- FHCCC serves the racially and ethnically diverse, multi-cultural region of California's great Central Valley. FHCCC investigates complaints of housing discrimination and predatory lending,  offers mediation, counseling, advocacy, research, and fair housing training and workshops for consumers as well as housing providers.  FHCCC is a professional, non-profit, civil rights organization dedicated to the elimination of discrimination in housing and the expansion of housing opportunities for all persons.   You may contact Fresno office at 559-244-2950.

California Tenants Handbook

Inquilinos de California

Help Us Identify Barriers to Fair Housing

The City of Visalia is required to complete an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice that identifies barriers to equal access for housing and to help make data-driven investments with federal funds.

Members of the public are invited to participate in forthcoming meetings pertaining to this issue and contribute their insights. All sessions will be conducted virtually through Microsoft Teams on the dates specified below:

Monday, May 6 | 5pm CLICK HERE

Tuesday, May 7 | 9am Link: CLICK HERE

Thursday, May 9 | 6pm Link: CLICK HERE

Take the survey below to help identify barriers to fair housing!

City of Visalia Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing - Community Residents Survey

 

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