Fair Housing

Throughout our country’s history, different classes of people have been denied freedom of housing choice based on characteristics such as race, color, gender, ethnicity, and religious identification. In passing the Fair Housing Act of 1968, Congress created the fair housing policy. The Act, and its 1988 amendment, establish seven protected classes: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability.

Disability Options Network’s, Center for Independent Living, staff goes into the various communities throughout and beyond Armstrong, Butler, Lawrence, and Mercer counties to provide information about the Fair Housing Act. We speak about what is covered (renting, selling, lending, etc.), unlawful discrimination, and some of the prohibited practices that are associated with the Act. Staff also speaks about the differences between a reasonable modification and a reasonable accommodation. We discuss the issue of Service Animals and funding as well.

Most importantly, our staff strives to educate and empower people to take action when they have been discriminated against in any housing practices. By working with DON’s legal partners, evictions can be prevented, home modifications and accommodations can be made, and people can live in the community of their choice.

In addition, DON and its affiliated agencies administer USDA Housing Preservation grant funding to make owner-occupied repairs and accessibility modifications for rural homes in several counties.

CLICK HERE for the funding application