Fair Housing Overview
(source: Maryland Commission on Human Relations)
The
Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) prohibits
discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other
housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion,
sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents
of legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children
under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).
The State of Maryland has modeled its laws against housing
discrimination on the Fair Housing Act. It is the policy of the
state of Maryland to provide for fair housing for all its inhabitants regardless
of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, marital status,
disability or sexual orientation "in order that the peace, health, safety,
prosperity, and the general welfare of all inhabitants of the State may be
protected and insured."
What Housing Is Covered?
The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In some circumstances, the Act
exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family
housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, and housing operated by
organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
What Is Prohibited?
In the Sale and Rental of Housing:
No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
- Refuse to rent or sell housing
- Refuse to negotiate for housing
- Make housing unavailable
- Deny a dwelling
- Set different terms, conditions or privileges
for sale or rental of a dwelling
- Provide different housing services or
facilities
- Falsely deny that housing is available for
inspection, sale, or rental
- For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent
(blockbusting) or
- Deny anyone access to or membership in a
facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale
or rental of housing.
Filing a Discrimination Complaint
If you feel your rights have been violated, the
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban
Development (HUD) can assist you. You can write or call HUD or submit
and online
discrimination complaint form. The HUD office for the state of
Maryland is:
Fair Housing Hub
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3380
(215) 656-0663 ext.3260
1-888-799-2085
TTY (215) 656-3450
You may also contact the Fair Housing Assistance
Program agency (FHAP) in the state or locality where the alleged discrimination
occurred for assistance. In Maryland, contact:
Maryland Commission on Human Relations
William Donald-Schafer Towers
6 St. Paul Street, Suite 900
Baltimore, MD 21202
1-800-637-6247
TTY (410) 333-1737
Additional resources
National Fair Housing Alliance
FairHousingLaw.org
Equal
Rights Center
|
