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| City
of Piqua Ohio |
Fair
Housing and You
Equal Housing Opportunity |
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| Types of Discrimination |
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There are both state and federal laws which
prohibit housing discrimination. In fact, it is not only
illegal to discriminate against someone because of his or her
race but also because of a person's color, sex, religious
belief, marital status, national origin, handicap or family
status.
Some of these terms are easily understood, but others may be
confusing. Simply put:
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| Race refers to a major ethnic group; |
| Color means a person's complexion or
skin tone; |
| Sex refers to either the male or
female gender; |
| Religious belief is someone's
spiritual attitude; |
| Marital status includes single,
married, or divorced; |
| National origin refers to a person's
ancestry; |
| Handicap means a physical or mental
disability; |
| Family status means families or
heads of households with children; it may also cover elderly
housing. |
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Laws prohibiting discrimination affect
everyone who may be involved with the sale or rental of housing.
This includes not only the real estate agent and landlord but
also the seller and lending institution.
Secondly, discrimination is prohibited not only in the public
and private sale or rental of housing units but also in the
offering of vacant land for residential construction. |
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| Areas of Discrimination |
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The Civil Rights Act of 1866, the National
Fair Housing Act of 1968, Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer Company (U.S.
Supreme Court, 1968), and Chapter 4112 of the Ohio Revised Code
address the following areas of discrimination:
Refusing to sell, rent, or lease;
Altering the terms or conditions for buying or renting;
Denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rent
when it is available;
Denying or altering terms and conditions for home loans by
commercial lenders;
Steering, mortgage and insurance red lining. |
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| Recent Amendments to the
Fair Housing Act |
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Changes made to the Federal Fair Housing
law or Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 by the Fair
Housing Amendments Act of 1988 were enacted in September if 1988
and became effective on March 12, 1989.
Title VIII has prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental,
and financing of a dwelling based on color, religion, sex or
national origin. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988
expands the coverage of Title VIII to prohibit discriminatory
housing practices based on handicap and familial status.
The Act also establishes an administrative and judicial
enforcement mechanism for cases where discriminatory housing
practices cannot be resolved informally, and provides for
monetary penalties in cases where housing discrimination is
found. |
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If you are looking for an apartment and
were told "we don't want your kind in this
neighborhood," you might rightfully feel that you had been
discriminated against.
However, subtle discrimination may also exist and is more
difficult to recognize. For example:
You call to inquire about an apartment advertised in the
newspaper and are told that it is still available.
However, when you immediately go to see the apartment, you are
told it has been rented;
You are told by the manager of an apartment complex that
there are no units available for families with children and that
there is a long waiting list. However, you happen to
notice a few days later that there is an apartment advertised
for rent in the same complex;
While showing you a home, the real estate agent spends a great
deal of time emphasizing the problems and limitations of the
residence.
All of these may be a subtle form of discrimination, and you may
have the basis for filing a complaint. |
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| How & Where To File |
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If you feel that you have been discriminated against while
trying to buy or rent, first call 440-8116 and ask for the Fair
Housing Officer.
When filing a complaint, you will need to provide the following information:
Your name, address, and telephone number;
The name, address, and telephone number of the person or firm
being charged with housing discrimination;
The date when the alleged act occurred;
State the basis for discrimination (race, color, sex, marital
status, religion, national origin, or handicap);
State clearly all details which caused you to file the
complaint;
The full name and exact position or title of all individuals
mentioned;
The name, address, and telephone number of any witness able to
support your charge.
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| What Happens After You
File? |
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The first step is an investigation of your
complaint. If there appears to be a basis for action, and
attempt will be made to conciliate the complaint. This
means that it may be possible to negotiate an agreement acceptable to both parties.
If conciliation is not possible, further legal action may be
necessary to remedy the discriminatory conduct.
Regardless of the action taken, however, you have the right to
file a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and with
the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. |
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| How You Can Help Promote
Fair Housing |
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You can help promote fair housing in Miami
County by:
Insisting on an open occupancy policy if you rent or sell;
Being a good neighbor to all new residents;
Doing something if you feel that someone has violated your right
to live wherever you choose! |
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| If You Need Assistance
Please Contact: |
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Fair Housing Officer
510 W. Water Street, Suite 110
Troy, OH 45373-2983
(937) 440-8116 |
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Ohio Civil Rights
Commission
Dayton Regional Office
800 Miami Valley Tower
40 W. Fourth Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 285-6500 |
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U.S. Dept. of Housing and
Urban Development
Region V
HUD - Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
(FHEO)
626 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois 60606-5760
1-800-669-9777 Complaint Hotline |
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| You do not need an attorney to file a
housing discrimination complaint. However, if you wish
legal advice and are eligible, the telephone number of the Miami
County Legal Aid Society is listed below: |
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Rural Legal Aid Society
(937) 339-0828 |
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Housing Rehab
201 W Water St.
Municipal Government Complex - 2nd Floor
Piqua OH 45356
937-778-2062
e-mail
Housing Rehab
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