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1. What is fair housing?

Fair housing is your right to live wherever you wish irrespective of the following:

• Age
• Color
• Disability
• Military status
• National origin ancestry
• Parental status
• Race
• Religion
• Sex

2. What is housing discrimination?

Housing discrimination is denying anyone access to housing because they belong to one of these protected classes.

3. Do I fit into one of the protected categories? Am I being discriminated against based on one of the above categories?

Everyone is protected by the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act is intended to uphold housing practices that treat everyone equally. A protected class, according to the Fair Housing Act, is a characteristic of a person which cannot be targeted for discrimination. Anyone who believes they are experiencing housing discrimination must prove that there is a connection between the discriminatory act and their protected class. For example, if other people in your area are experiencing similar discrimination, this strengthens your case.

The Fair Housing Act is intended to uphold housing practices that treat everyone equally.

4. If I have a disability, is the landlord required to make modifications to the housing or otherwise accommodate my disability?

Landlords and property managers are not required to make modifications to a housing unit. However, a person with a disability may make reasonable modifications to the dwelling at his or her own expense and may request reasonable accommodating to the following:

• Amenities
• Policies
• Practices
• Rules
• Services

5. What can I do if I believe I have been discriminated against?

If you believe you have experienced discrimination, call the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at 888-278-7101, a local fair housing agency, or find your Ohio Legal Aid office online or call 866-LAW-OHIO (866-529-6446), toll-free, to be connected to your Ohio Legal Aid office, and to find out if you qualify for their services.