Fair Housing

Housing Discrimination Laws

In the United States, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. 

In Oregon it is also illegal to discriminate on the basis of legal source of income, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or survivors of domestic violence. 

Affirmatively Furthering Housing

The City of Union certifies that it Affirmatively Furthers Fair Housing. 

It is the policy of the City of Union to support equal opportunity in housing for all people, and that discrimination in the sale, rental, leasing, or financing of housing or land to be used for the construction of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap is hereby prohibited by Title VII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act (as amended), the 1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act (as amended), the 1995 Housing for Older Persons Act (as amended), and Oregon Revised Statutes, Title 51, Chapter 659A.

Within resources available to the us, the City of Union will assist all persons who feel they have been denied equal access to housing due to one of the aforementioned reasons in the process of filing a Complaint with the State of Oregon Civil Rights Division or the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Fair Housing Council of Oregon

The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) is a statewide civil rights organization whose mission is to eliminate housing discrimination through access to enforcement and education. They are a nonprofit corporation, not a governmental agency. They promote equal access to housing by providing education, outreach, technical assistance, and enforcement opportunities specifically related to federal, state, and local fair housing laws. Informational brochures are available for download from their website, Trainings offered by the FHCO can also be found on their website.

Has your right to fair housing been violated?

If you feel you have experienced discrimination in the housing industry, please contact one of the agencies listed below. Timelines vary depending on the type and basis of a complaint, but it is always better to act sooner to ensure your legal rights are protected.