1999 Best Practices
Success Stories

Program Name:	Ohio Civil Rights Commission Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
Program Focus:	Fair Housing
Geographic Area:	Midwest

State:	Ohio
City:	Columbus

Executive Summary
If you live in Ohio and believe that you have a housing discrimination complaint, help is on the way. For more than a year, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program has been the beacon of light for residents.

At one time the process for resolving a housing discrimination complaint was tedious, but now thanks to the ADR program, citizens can file a complaint and obtain fairly swift results. The achievements of the ADR program are not only recognized by local residents, but also by government agencies on the national level. The state’s Civil Rights Commission ADR program is the proud recipient of HUD’s 1999 "Best Practice" Award. During 1999 ADR heard 110 cases and was able to mediate and settle 56.

You might ask, what makes this ADR program so successful? The program’s staff members state that its success can be attributed to the fact that ADR is operated by a state agency that guarantees its clients a speedy resolution to housing discrimination complaints. "The OCRC understands that there must be a more efficient, less costly, and informal avenue to resolving discrimination complaints. We have found that our mediation program achieves these results and allows the parties to create a ‘win-win’ resolution," said Melanie Mitchell, executive director.

To add icing on the cake, the program’s success is also demonstrated by a reduction in the number of cases that required action and the lower court costs that were incurred in 1999.

The Civil Rights Commission ADR program is a win-win situation for all. The citizens of Ohio have their voices heard, while state government proves that it can cut costs and provide people with the services to which they are entitled.

Partners: Citizens of the State of Ohio

Financing: Various funding sources

Point of Contact:

Michael Payton, Phone: (614) 466-4032 E-mail: michael.payton@crc.state.oh.us