Under the federal Fair Housing Act and the state Law Against Discrimination, discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on race or national origin is illegal. Despite the existence of the laws, housing discrimination has not gone away. Rather, the NHLA Fair Housing Project has found that it has become more subtle over time and more difficult to identify.

New Hampshire is one of the least diverse states in the country with a roughly 90% White population. Reports of housing discrimination based on race and ethnicity are not uncommon. From 2015 through 2019, housing discrimination complaints based on race constituted 12% of NHLA’s housing discrimination cases, with a total of 98 complaints over this period. We know incidents of race discrimination in housing may not be discovered or reported so it is likely that the rate of such discrimination is actually much higher.

High Poverty Neighborhoods and Residents of Color

The most recent Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in New Hampshire examined areas in the state with high concentrations of poverty and of racial and ethnic minority group members. Residents in these communities do not have equal access to community assets and opportunities as elsewhere in the state. Several opportunity indicators were examined, including access to quality education, affordable and adequate housing, and job opportunities, as were proximity to negative conditions, such as environmental health hazards. These findings are consistent with the 2015 Analysis. Minority group members still do not have equal access to opportunities that are available to other New Hampshire residents. 

In addition to the previously mentioned challenges, there is increased fear of discrimination and targeting within immigrant and refugee communities. Recent years have seen an increase in ICE raids and detentions, implementation of immigration checkpoints in northern New Hampshire, and seizure of immigrants by state and local police.

Killings of unarmed Black men at the hands of police have prompted national conversations about race and police brutality. Many people today understand that there are racial disparities in police interactions with community members, yet despite increased awareness, the problem persists. It is within this environment that individuals of color seek housing opportunities and face potential discrimination based on race or national origin.

Fair Housing Project Testing Program

While many racial discrimination cases can be difficult to prove, NHLA’s fair housing testing program works to root out and uncover discriminatory practices. The Project has successfully identified discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin through testing. One such case involved a landlord who charged a higher rent to an Indigenous family and provided them with used appliances while the White tenants received brand new ones.

Discrimination based on national origin can also arise when federally subsidized housing providers do not provide adequate language access to applicants or tenants. A lack of sufficient language services puts people at risk of losing a housing opportunity, eviction, or program termination.

The Fair Housing Project works with people who suspect they were victims of housing discrimination and advocates for wider access to safe and affordable housing. Do you believe you are a victim of housing discrimination? Call us at 1-800-921-1115. We’re here to help.