The Florida Fair Housing Act does not provide new protected traits. This is called a Letter of Findings. If you, or the party you filed the complaint against, disagree with the information presented in the Letter of Findings you have. #nf-form-2-cont .nf-row:nth-child(odd) { Federal housing discrimination is discrimination on renting or buying a property based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and. Represented a business owner in a Denver, Colorado litigation concerning the theft of his company by former corporate employees, resulting in a multi-million dollar settlement to the business owner. Orlando, FL Discrimination Attorneys . The more documentation you have to support your discrimination claim, the stronger your case will be. All rights reserved. File a complaint if you find a violation of the civil rights involving any type of discrimination by race, colo The Office of Management Information Systems and The Public Information Office, manages this site as a portal for information from the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Thats where having an experienced housing discrimination attorney is critical. Top rated discrimination lawyer. The allegations must still be proven in federal court. Although an attorney is not required to file a complaint with HUD, you may want to consult with a well-qualified and knowledgeable Sarasota, Florida lawyer who specializes in housing discrimination. Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in all programs, services, and activities of public entities and by private entities that own, operate, or lease places of public accommodation. Public accommodations would also include, for example, shelters and social service establishments. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes . Refuse to make reasonable accommodations or modifications. Leave a review. display:block; Yes, the more you know about your legal rights and the law, the better. Gainesville, FL 32601. How do I know if I have been discriminated against/illegally denied housing in Florida? I believe I may have been discriminated against when applying for housing in Florida. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. Generally speaking, the FHA does not apply to hotels. Title III of the ADA prohibits private entities that own, lease (to and from), and operate places of public accommodation from discriminating on the basis of disability and requires places of public accommodation and commercial facilities to be designed, constructed, and altered in compliance with established accessibility standards. To speak with a seasoned Florida Fair Housing lawyer today about your situation, schedule a free legal consultation bycompleting a contact formor call (844)-JIBRAEL. HUD-Funded Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Partnership Initiative An individual who believes they have experienced housing discrimination may contact one of these FHAP agencies or the US Department of Health & Human Services (HUD). Gainesville, FL Civil Rights Attorney with 31 years of experience. Miami, Retaliate against someone who has filed a fair housing complaint, or assists in the investigation of a fair housing complaint. Under the Fair Housing Act, Floridians are legally entitled to housing without the consideration of their race, gender, disability, religion, national origin, or familial status. Will working with a lawyer to fight housing discrimination help me stay in my current residence or secure a place to live? When it comes to housing discrimination, researchers from the University of California at Berkeley released a study in 2018 that analyzed nearly seven million 30-year mortgages and found that Black and Latino applicants were charged higher interest and refinance fees when compared to white applicants. Under Florida state law and the Fair Housing Act, you are entitled to the opportunity to rent or purchase housing, regardless of your disability. The Fair Housing attorneys atThe Law Offices of Jibrael S. Hindican help you navigate all housing laws in South Florida. The Florida Fair Housing Act does not provide new protected traits. The law that protects you in your HUD-funded housing as a survivor of domestic violence is called the Violence Against Womens Act (VAWA). Speak with one of our experienced and compassionate staff members who will listen, advise and assist you. Engage in mortgage lending discrimination; Harass people based on their protected class; Interfere with anyone exercising their FHA rights; and. The Florida Commission on Human Relations was created to uphold state laws offering protection from discrimination in both housing and employment. HUDs Equal Access rule may also protect LGBTQ+ citizens if their housing provider receives HUD funding or has a HUD-insured loan. Providing financial assistance for buyers or renters of real estate; Participating in real estate organizations; Intimidating, coercing, or threatening others in regards to their purchase or rental; and. HUD can also take action on your behalf if any of the following occur: HUD also investigates complaints against discrimination in HUD programs or discrimination by housing providers who receive HUD funding or have HUD-insured loans. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. To learn more about volunteering to become a Fair Housing tester, visit this page. This lawyer is licensed for 10 years to practice law in Florida. NO SUCH RELATIONSHIP WILL EXIST UNLESS AND UNTIL A PARTNER AT POTTER HANDY LLP EXPRESSLY AND EXPLICITLY AGREES IN A WRITTEN AGREEMENT LETTER WITH YOU THAT THE FIRM WILL UNDERTAKE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. A landlord only wants English-speaking tenants. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content./* FORM STYLES */ HUD complaints can be filed by mail, submitting online forms, through email, or over the phone. display: none; } #nf-form-2-cont .nf-row { Examples of housing discrimination could include: As part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of dwellings. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act provides that no qualified individual with disabilities should, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Although the new law delivers some significant . Some housing may be subject to the accessibility requirements of other laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and local building codes. Click here to read the Florida Fair Housing Act in full, contained in Florida Statutes 760.20-760.37. The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. As a tenant, you have the right to be free from sexual harassment in your housing. Law Firm Website Law Firm Profile Free Consultation Volk Law Offices, P.A. Fair housing is the right to buy or rent a home, free from illegal discrimination. #nf-form-2-cont .nf-error-field-errors { Congresswoman Introduces Bill to Restore Fair Housing Protections, Bank of America Sued for Failing to Maintain Foreclosed Properties in Minority Neighborhoods, HUD Investigates Facebook Over Housing Advertisements, New Federal Bill Seeks to Expand Fair Housing Act to Cover Gender Identity. To learn more about your options, contact J. Courtney Cunningham Attorney at Law today. These are some examples of housing discrimination: Discrimination can come in many related forms. Additionally, it is prohibited to select tenants based on their familial status, such as having children, or their marital status. Otis Bruce Jr., a . Discrimination Lawyers Serving Orlando, FL (Maitland) Past client? Yesand here are some of the basic steps involved. Examples like these are relatively rare. Equal Services, Housing for People with Disabilities. 2017 - 2023 Saady & Saxe, P.A. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in housing and need legal advice or assistance. Additionally, you have 2 years to file a complaint in federal court from the last act of discrimination. However, additional protections may be available based on the county you live in. The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 prohibit discrimination on the basis of the following criteria (called "protected categories"): race or color; religion; national origin; familial status or ageincludes families with children under the age of 18 and pregnant women . . As a father to a child with autism, I am no stranger to advocating for fair treatment. Currently, the FHA prohibits housing discrimination based on color, race, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability. To be qualified means the individual meets the essential eligibility requirements, including, for example, income requirements for tenancy, if the program is a housing program, provided those eligibility requirements are not discriminatory and can be met with or without reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids or services necessary for effective communication. If HUD determines that housing discrimination has occurred, the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division can bring the case to Federal Court. ) Content contributed by dfeh.ca.gov & hud.gov. The Office of Management Information Systems and The Public Information Office, manages this site as a portal for information from the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Save any emails, telephone voicemails, written letters, or any other correspondence that relates to your experience. Thank you for reaching out. .nf-form-content .nf-field-container #nf-field-11-wrap .nf-field-label label { The mission of the Housing Access Project (a DBA of Potter Handy, LLP) is to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to housing opportunities. If you suspect that youve been treated unfairly in housing, the first step you should take is to document as much as possible about the discrimination as you can. The complaint will be reviewed by the HUD and may require a response on the part of the accused party before the FHEO conducts an investigation. refers to the visible color of a persons skin, whether a persons skin is light or dark. Familial status means having children under age 18 in the household. FloridaPlantationcallHousing Discrimination 10 If you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, contact CLSMF for legal advice (800-405-1417). New York, & Housing Discrimination Questionnaire (REV 01/2023) Page 2 . Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. A tenant that uses a wheelchair requires a ramp to access the entrance of the dwelling. Similar protections are also enshrined in Florida Statutes, which 53 W Jackson Blvd, Suite 334 They will want to know the timeline of events, the relevant locations, anyone involved, the witnesses present or anyone else who might have information about your complaint, and any documentation that you have to support your case. Use the Housing Discrimination Questionnaire to assist you. Discrimination Lawyers Serving Orlando, FL (Melbourne) 1 review Law Firm Profile That includes any direct evidence from the discriminatory party or anything more indirect that shows you were treated differently. The Fair Housing Act prohibits a broad range of discriminatory activities and statements. If the ALJ rules that a violation of the Fair Housing Act took place, he may order the person you filed against to compensate you for damages (expenses, emotional distress), pay your attorney fees, pay a civil penalty, or make housing available to you. The Justice Department announced today that Thomas Mere, the owner and operator of Mere's Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Park in North Fort Myers, Florida, has agreed to pay $40,000 to resolve allegations that he discriminated against African Americans in violation of the Fair Housing Act. You have one year from the date of the alleged discrimination to file a complaint with either the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or a local agency like the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Unless a housing community is complying with the requirements of a 55+ housing community, they cannot deny a family with children under the age of 18 from residing there. 833.WIN.ANDY, 701 Main Street For example, if a landlord or other housing provider only rented to light-skinned African Americans, but not those who are darker-skinned, that would be an example of color discrimination, regardless of the race of the landlord. However, additional protections may be available based on the county you live in. Often victims of sexual harassment suffer both. A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, which can include caring for ones self, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, speaking, learning, and working. Write down any conversations or interactions you have had (whether they happened in the past or are ongoing) to create a timeline of your experience. Floridians are entitled by law to rent a place to live or buy a home without consideration of their race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, familial status, or religion. Our law firm has over 100 years of combined experience successfully representing victims of employment discrimination. Attorney Phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx) How do I know if being denied a home loan is due to discrimination? You and the party you filed against have. The Act was enacted to ensure the removal of artificial, arbitrary, and unnecessary barriers when those barriers operate invidiously . The Florida Commission on Human Relations has the authority to conduct Fair Housing discrimination investigations within the state of Florida except for the following counties and cities: City of Orlando Office of Human Relations (City of Orlando), 400 South Orange AvenueOrlando, FL 32801Phone: 407-246-2122 Fax: 407-246-2308Website: http://www.cityoforlando.net/, 306 E. Jackson Street Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: 813-274-5835 Fax: 813-274-5854 Website: http://www.tampagov.net, Jacksonville Human Rights Commission (Duval County), 117 West Duval Street, Suite 350 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: 904-630-4911 Fax: 904-630-4918 TTY: 904-630-4125 Website: http://www.coj.net/jhrc, Palm Beach County Office of Equal Opportunity (Palm Beach County), 301 North Olive Avenue, 10th Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Phone: 561-355-4884 Fax: 561-355-4932 TTY: 561-355-1517 Website: http://www.pbcgov.com/equalopportunity, 400 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue, 5th Floor Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone: 727-464-4880 Fax: 727-464-5298 TTY: 727-464-4062 Website: http://www.pinellascounty.org/humanrights/, Broward County Office of Equal Opportunity (Broward County), 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 427 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1883 Phone : 954-357-7800 Fax: 954-357-7817http://www.broward.org/Intergovernmental/Pages/EmploymentHousingDiscrimination.aspx. Mr. Safarian has successfully represented hundreds of clients in civil litig. Florida Commission on Human Relations, 4075 Esplanade Way Unit 110, Tallahassee, FL, 32399. Call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 800-669-9777 (TTY: 800-927-9275), or visit HUD complaint page for information about filing a complaint. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on: The law applies to property owners, managers, brokers, salespersons, rental agents, and other agents or employees of the owner. A landlord requiring that an interracial couple utilize application criteria that is more burdensome than that required of other applicants; A bank refuses to provide loan information to a person based on their protected class; A real estate broker acting on behalf of a contractor publishes the availability of a newly built housing complex as being for white tenants only. How Does Closing a Credit Card Impact Your Credit? Back; Attorneys/ Law Firms Search; . According Read More , The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently reopened an investigation into Facebooks advertising practices. There. If you believe that youve experienced discrimination while renting or buying a home in South Florida, contact an experienced Florida Fair Housing lawyer who can help defend your best interests. Read more to find out if you have been the subject of housing discrimination, and if so, what you can do about it. Peoria, Write down any conversations or interactions you have had (whether they happened in the past or are ongoing) to create a timeline of your experience. Equal access to housing is a civil right protected by law on both state and federal levels. Keep in mind that an experienced lawyer's help will be crucial to successfully preparing for, filing, and winning a housing discrimination lawsuit against your landlord (as well as filing a complaint with an administrative agency, such as HUD, or negotiating a settlement outside of court). 60604 But it also includes discriminatory actions that may be less obvious. Ken holds a J.D. THE INFORMATION AND CONTENT CONTAINED ON THIS SITE IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE, AND YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY BEFORE RELYING ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR CONTENT. The organization has filed 14. However, it is often unreported. Section 504 covers all programs and activities of recipients of HUD financial assistance, including, for example: Federal law makes it illegal for an otherwise qualified individual with a disability, solely because of his or her disability, to be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Unlike discrimination against some of the other protected classes, racial discrimination in the housing industry is not always easy to spot. Gilead Community Services, a non-profit serving people with mental health disabilities in Connecticut since 1968, sought to open a six . Who Can File? I dont know what Im going to do about the broken heater when it gets even colder. , or This for That, harassment is when a housing provider asks for sex or sexual favors to avoid eviction or in exchange for free rent, repairs, excused late payments or fees, etc. (352) 375-0812 317 NE 1st Street. (844) 542-7235 South Florida's Premier Consumer Protection Law Firm "We are the civil police that monitors and modifies bad corporate behavior. Law, Intellectual Landlords are allowed to deny housing on the basis of legitimate business reasons. POTTER HANDY LLP CANNOT PERMIT AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP TO EXIST UNTIL WE HAVE OBTAINED ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION AND EVALUATED ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. The owner of the home I rent makes comments about my body, clothes, and the sexual acts they want me to perform on them. 312.341.9646, Woolworth Building Under penalty of perjury, I declare that I have read the entire contents of this questionnaire and that . Law, Immigration Law, Insurance Contact us. Earlier this year, a new bill was introduced in the Senate, that if passed, could significantly expand the protections offered under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Regardless of how subtle or overt the discrimination is, federal and state law is on your side. } Sometimes housing discrimination can be obvious. Remember, you have 1 year from the alleged act of discrimination to file an administrative complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Working behind the scenes to solve workplace issues before they become public. IL At Florin Gray Bouzas Owens, our legal team is dedicated to the pursuit of justice for our clients. .nf-form-content .nf-field-container #nf-field-7-wrap .nf-field-label label { Public accommodations at housing developments include any public areas that are open to the general public, such as a rental office. 233 Broadway, Suite 820 If you feel you were discriminated against or given unequal treatment based on race, gender (or gender identity), disability, national origin, age, sexual orientation, religion, or some other protected class, a discrimination lawyer can help. This means comparing your treatment to those of others to show that you were discriminated against. A staff member will get back toyou soon. File a discrimination complaint with HUD Predatory lending - don't be a victim of unfair lending practices Tenant rights, laws, and protections At Your Service If you believe you have been a victim of housing discrimination, you may file a complaint, or call us toll-free at 1 (800) 669-9777. As long as that amount is met, children and people younger than 55 can live in this kind of housing. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. And if youve been the victim of such treatment, you have the right to demand monetary damages. Visit this page of the HUD website for more information. display: none; } Library, Bankruptcy Click Here To Access The Intake Form For Your Misclassification Claims. The EEOC said in a release . You can choose to be represented by the HUDs appointed legal council or your own attorney. Represented doctors in discrimination cases against their employers. When the Fair Housing Act was initially passed in 1968, one of its main purposes was to combat racial discrimination and promote equal access to housing opportunities. Representation of companies in providing training seminars concerning sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. We operate differently than many law firms and always put the best interests of . 5 Consumer Protection Laws You Should Know About, Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling, Provide different housing services or facilities, Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, rent, or sale, Impose different conditions or terms on a loan, Threaten, coerce, or intimidate any individual exercising a fair housing right, Refuse reasonable changes to your dwelling to accommodate a disability. The Office of Management Information Systems and The Public Information Office, manages this site as a portal for information from the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Every house and apartment unit is different, and there are numerous factors that go into every real estate transaction. .nf-form-content .nf-field-container #nf-field-9-wrap .nf-field-label label { Traditional and non-traditional families, such as single-parent families or two same-sex parents; Persons in the process of securing legal custody of children through foster care, adoption, or divorce; and. If the court finds in your favor, the person you filed against could be ordered to compensate you for damages (expenses, emotional distress, and punitive damages), pay your attorney fees, or make housing available to you. Title II: State and Local Government Services Ste 2201 This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. People with disabilities must be allowed, at their own expense, to make reasonable modifications to their dwelling to allow them equal access and enjoyment. Theresa Kitay, a fair housing defense attorney based in North Carolina, says three of her clients sued by FFHA paid between $2,000 and $6,500 to settle them. Led byAttorney Jibrael S. Hindiof The Law Offices of Jibrael S. Hindi, we take pride in professionally and aggressivelyadvocating for our clients. Remember, you have. Contact me. Fowler, Hein, Cheatwood & Williams, P.A. State and federal law prohibit discrimination in the sale and rental of housing by property owners, landlords, property managers, mortgage lenders, and real estate agents. Your Estate It has been more than 30 days since you filed your complaint and your certified local agency has not started proceedings; Your certified local agency is not carrying out the proceedings in a prompt manner; and. mirrors the federal Fair Housing Act and is enforced by the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) which investigates housing discrimination complaints for the state of Florida. Possible remedies for housing discrimination include injunctions, restraining orders, damages, court costs and attorney fees. Also keep copies of any written statements provided by witnesses. Gather any documents you received related to your housing (such as denial letters if you had applied to an apartment and got rejected), any notices you received from the housing providers, leases, any documents you had sent your housing providers, applications you might have filled out, etc. There are state and federal laws in place that make it illegal to deny someone housing based solely on the above mentioned characteristics. You or the party you filed against can also choose to have a jury trial. EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, POTTER HANDY LLP, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, MAY DECIDE NOT TO ENTER INTO AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. Law, Products She is applying to an apartment building with a no-pets policy. I asked him to stop. Sue for Rental Housing Discrimination. Under both local and Florida state law and the Fair Housing Act, you are entitled to the opportunity to rent housing or purchase a home regardless of your race, sex, nationality, or disability.