Fair Housing is Your Right

Southwest Florida Summit Commemorates Fair Housing Month

Henry Whitehead, Equal Opportunity Specialist, provides Fair Housing Act training at the SW Florida Fair Housing Summit

Over 90 people gathered at the Dr. Carrie Robinson Center in Fort Myers, Florida to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the National Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Month. HUD Equal Opportunity Specialists Aaron Levine and Henry Whitehead provided training on the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws to housing authority staff. Many questions focused on reasonable accommodation obligations regarding service animals. Included in the audience were maintenance staff members, who are often the first to hear from residents about reasonable accommodation needs. Ensuring everyone who interacts with residents knows Fair Housing Act obligations was the cornerstone of this training event sponsored by the Housing Authority of Fort Myers and Lee County Housing Authority.

Each year HUD and its Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) partner agencies receive and investigate approximately 9,000 complaints alleging discrimination based on the Fair Housing Act's seven prohibited bases: race, color, national origin, religion, gender, family status, and disability. Disability discrimination complaints account for half of the complaints filed with HUD and FHAP agencies, which highlights the need for continuous training of the public.

Anyone who believes that his/her fair housing rights have been violated can file a complaint by calling 1(800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing and through our new fair housing mobile application for iPhone, iPad, and android smart phone users.

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