New Fair Housing Project Website to Address Complaints of Housing Discrimination
CONCORD, NH -- New Hampshire residents now have easier access to information about housing discrimination and fair housing laws with the launch of a new website from New Hampshire Legal Assistance’s Fair Housing Project. The site, combined with a social media campaign, aims to raise awareness of the ongoing fair housing challenges and how NHLA can help victims of housing discrimination.
The new NHLA Fair Housing Project website has information about what qualifies as housing discrimination and examples of the more common forms of housing discrimination in New Hampshire. It also includes resources and outlines the services available through the NHLA Fair Housing Project.
“The timing couldn’t be better for the launch of this website. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing so many to alter their lives and be home more often, it has brought with it a number of new issues in housing discrimination,” said Attorney Lindsay Lincoln of the NHLA Fair Housing Project. “Our main goal with this project, and the new campaign, is to let people know that these housing discrimination problems do exist here in New Hampshire and that for people experiencing housing discrimination, we’re here to help.”
State and federal law prohibits discrimination in the rental, sale, or financing of housing based on someone’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or gender identity. In New Hampshire, the most common housing discrimination complaints are made by people with disabilities. This can be issues ranging from refusal to rent because of an assistance animal to refusing reasonable modifications that allow them to fully use and enjoy their home. NHLA also continues to see a number of complaints from parents who face challenges with potential and existing landlords because children will be living in the home, as well as a recent rise in complaints based on race and national origin.
For more than 20 years, the Fair Housing Project has fought discrimination in our communities and helped protect people’s right to live where they choose. The Fair Housing Project investigates housing discrimination complaints and assists victims to help them gain the protections and remedies they deserve. This could be an agreement to make a reasonable accommodation for a renter with a disability or seeking recourse against a rental company that refuses to rent to members of certain protected classes.
The Fair Housing Project also operates a testing program to identify and provide evidence of unlawful housing discrimination, as well as advocates for policy changes that will strengthen protections, eliminate housing policies that negatively affect protected class members, and create more housing opportunities.
Those who think they may be a victim of housing discrimination can visit the NHLA’s Fair Housing Project website for help. A qualified interpreter will be provided if you have a limited ability to speak or understand English.
Disclaimer: The work of NHLA’s Fair Housing Project is supported by funding under grants with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. NHLA is solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained herein. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
