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Report Discrimination

If you have been a victim of housing discrimination, report it today! If you are looking through rental advertisements and see wording that sounds discriminatory, please share it with us via link, screenshot, or both via our Facebook page and we will investigate.

What is fair housing? Who is protected? What can I do to help? Find answers here!

(or read the full text of fair housing laws)

Who is Protected?

Protected classes at the federal level:

  • Race

  • Color

  • Religion

  • Sex

  • Familial Status

  • National Origin

  • Disability

Protected classes in New York State and Erie County include all of the above plus:

  • Military Status

  • Sexual Orientation

  • Age

  • Creed

  • Marital Status

  • Gender Identity

  • Source of Income

  • Immigration and Citizenship Status

What does discrimination look like?

Discrimination isn’t always obvious. Any of these actions could be discrimination if they happen because of a person’s membership in one of the groups above:

  • Refusal: refusing to rent to someone

  • Misrepresentation: lying about whether a property is rented or not

  • Inconsistent terms: different rules for different tenants

  • Advertisement: showing preference for or against a certain group in ads

  • Illegal inquiries: asking questions about protected classes

  • Steering: convincing someone to live in a certain area because of stereotypes or bias

  • Coercion: coercion, intimidation, threats, harassment

  • Refusing to make reasonable accommodations or modifications for people with disabilities.