Community Organizations Are Valuable Partners in Rural Fair Housing Enforcement

Contacts: Theresa Singleton, Housing Assistance Council, (202) 842-8600 x124
Janice Clark, Housing Assistance Council, (202) 842-8600 x131

Washington, D.C., May 11, 2011 – Local organizations play a key role in enforcing fair housing laws in rural America, according to the Housing Assistance Council’s new report, Rural Fair Housing Complaints and Enforcement. Researchers analyzed over 91,000 fair housing complaints and gathered additional insights from rural fair housing organizations.

Over the ten years covered by the available data, 1998-2008, the proportion of complaints filed alleging discrimination in rural places remained constant at about 13 percent. The reasons for complaints were generally similar in urban and rural areas, with disability replacing race as the most common fair housing complaint.

The research report shows that a network of private nonprofit housing organizations and government agencies carries out a host of fair housing activities, from educating the public, to investigating fair housing complaints, to adjudicating fair housing violations. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is responsible for enforcing fair housing laws, funds many of these organizations. This level of community presence has several advantages. For example, complainants must trust fair housing providers, and providers with community ties are best able to gain such confidence.

Funding for these local efforts, however, is inconsistent at best and this hinders the ability of fair housing groups to promote and enforce fair housing laws. “No one should be denied an equal opportunity to have a decent home,” said Moises Loza, HAC Executive Director. “Groups that enforce our fair housing laws deserve strong support.”

Loza continued, “HAC’s report sheds light on fair housing in rural communities and provides examples of effective rural fair housing enforcement. Without accurate information on rural fair housing trends and an understanding of the enforcement strategies that work, very little can be done to combat housing discrimination in rural areas.”

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About the Housing Assistance Council
Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Housing Assistance Council is a national nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping local organizations build affordable homes in rural America by providing below-market financing, technical assistance, research, training, and information services. HAC’s programs focus on local solutions, empowerment, reduced dependency, and self-help strategies. HAC is an equal opportunity lender. To learn more about HAC’s programs visit www.ruralhome.org.