How do I know if I have been a victim of housing discrimination?
If you are denied the opportunity to rent or buy housing, or experience differential treatment in your attempt to inspect, buy, or view a property of your choice because of your protected class, you may be a victim of housing discrimination. Other signs to look for are possible different terms and conditions in renting or buying property, or discouragement from the property or neighborhood in which you were interested.
What is a “protected class”?
Under federal, state, county, and local laws, it is illegal to discriminate against people based on certain things about them – their race, their religion, whether or not they have children, etc. These attributes are referred to as “protected classes”, and it is illegal for someone to discriminate against you based on these qualities. There are 7 protected classes under federal law, 13 under the Chicago fair housing ordinance.
Why should I report housing discrimination?
Many people ask, “Why should I report housing discrimination? I don’t want to live where I am not wanted.” According to the National Fair Housing Alliance, it is estimated that each year there are 3.4 million instances of illegal housing discrimination – but only a tiny fraction of these incidents are reported. Everyone has the right to live where they want to live. Housing discrimination deprives you of this right, cutting off your access to schools, communities, transportation, and a wide variety of opportunities. By filing a complaint, you may be able get the unit you wanted or recoup damages.
How can I file a complaint?
Does your complaint fall under one of the protected classes? Are you being discriminated against because of your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, ancestry, marital status, disability, military discharge status, source of income, or because you have children?
If the answer is yes, then contact the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights at 312-630-9744. Be ready to give a detailed account of your experience, including dates, occurrences, names, and any actions you have taken.
Keep all documents and correspondence between you and the housing provider, mortgage lender, or insurance company with which you have been in contact. If you were trying to buy or rent a home or apartment, have the address of the unit in question, as well as the realtor or landlord’s contact information.
(For non-discrimination landlord-tenant disputes, contact the Metropolitan Tenants Organization’s tenant hotline at 773-292-4988 or the Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing at 312-347-7600).