Learning more about fair housing rights will help your clients and consumers stabilize their rental households
did you attend this workshop? give us your comments here!
Agenda
Welcome
and Introductions: Pamela Dray, Columbiana County Community
Development
1.15
-1.30: Overview of Fair Housing Spencer Wells
why
are there fair housing laws?
what
are the Protected classes under Federal and State laws and
regulations? 7/2/2 rule!
what
are the exemptions in Ohio?
what
is the Fair Housing Rule of Thumb? BE CONSISTENT!
what's
the exception to the Rule of Thumb? ...except when someone says..
1.30-2.00:
What's the GENERAL RULE for RA/RM (Fair housing Act and ORC 4112)?
landlord
may not unreasonably refuse to provide a reasonable accommodation of
a rule, policy, or procedure to address the needs of a person with a
disability
landlord may not
unreasonably deny permission to a tenant to make a modification of
the premise to address the needs of a person with a disability
What's
the RULE for RA/RM where there is direct Federal Assistance (Section
504)?
Who's
covered by Section 504?
2.00-2.30
Recognizing discrimination in practice: Spencer Wells
denial
abuse
of entry, intrusive inspection
difference
in treatment (location, amenities, etc
difference
in terms and conditions: (extra security deposits, lease addenda)
for
female headed households: sexual harassment
10
key indicators (handout)
BREAK
2.30
PM-3 PM Housing Services available at te Community Action Agency of
Columbiana County. Martina Grimm.
3.00
PM-3.30PM : Framing a RA/RM request Spencer Wells
document disability
document
the nexus
engage
in the interactive process
3.30PM-4
PM: Your issues and concerns.
What happened at the training?
Held at Community Action on October 30, 2012. Only 5 participants in the wake of Hurricane Sandy's effects on Eastern Ohio. Pamela Dray gave an
overview of FH complaints in county: mostly
tenant landlord problems; mostly tenants not knowing rights and
duties-unrealistic expectations; sometimes
landlord misrepresentation
Questions & Discussion what are the rules for charging
for water? Wells: hard to know, court decisions are 'all over the place'. can homeless people bring comfort
animals to shelters and transitional housing? Yes, shelters and transitional housing are covered by Federal Fair Housing Act, residents may ask for reasonable accommodations. If funded by direct Federal assistance, covered providers must make shelters and transitional housing accessible. Is it OK to ask
if disabled people need an accommodation? NO. That's a difference in treatment. Instead maybe post a sign or include the offer of RA on printed materials or applications for assistance. HOPA
requirements? Discussed. Advocates who are suspicious can ask housing providers to provide information in support of their claim to be 55/over or 62/over. Differences
in treatment based on criminal background. Housing providers need to be consistent. Funds for home modification? Participants suggested that USDA has funds for home modification.
