Equal Housing Opportunities

Home background with the words "Fair Housing Resources" below picture

 

What is Fair Housing?
Fair Housing is the right all people have to be able to choose where to live. If you believe you have experienced illegal housing discrimination or harassment based race, color, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability, children, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, source of income, or any other personal characteristic, you are protected under the Fair Housing Act.
Who does Fair Housing Protect?

The Fair Housing Act protects all people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, seeking housing assistance, or participating on other housing-related activities.

How do I get help if I am being treated unfairly by my landlord?

If you feel you are being treated unfairly by your landlord, you can file a complaint to report any discriminatory actions. There is help available to help you protect your tenant rights!

Where can I file a discrimination complaint against my landlord?

You can file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing  as they provide protections to all residents from housing, employment, and public accomodation discrimination and hate violence. Or, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity - HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) assists in ending housing discrimination, promotes economic opportunity, and sets diverse and inclusive communities.

I am not ready to file a complaint, is there someone I can speak to about my Fair Housing Rights?

The City of Hayward provides funding through our Community Development Block Grant Program to Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO) to provide tenant-landlord counseling, conduct Fair Housing audits, and conduct tentants rights informational workshops. These services are FREE and confidential! 

For more information about Fair Housing Rights check out the below list of resources:

Fair Housing Resources:
  • Fair Housing Q & A
Fair Housing Providers:
  • Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO) is a HUD approved Housing Couseling Agency and Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organization that provides services to very low and moderate income residents related to Fair Housing counseling and investigation, Tenant/Landlord counseling and mediation, home buyer education and rental assistance programs. 
  • Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) provides protections to residents from housing, employment, and public accomodation discrimination and hate violence.

The City of Hayward's free Housing Informational Workshops offer important information related to various housing such as Fair Housing, Tenant/Landlord Rights, Residentail Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance, and more! These workshops address topics from the perspective of tenants and landlords. To access previous recordings related to Fair Housing, check out the below links:

Additional Housing Resources:

Emergency Shelters:
Legal Resources:

While Housing Providers have legitimate interest in screening potential tenants to determine if they can fulfill their obligations as tenants, individuals with criminal history face barriers to housing even when their history has no relationship to their ability to be responsible tenants. The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has a guide to assist with concerns related to criminal history. For more informaiton on this topic, please click here.