Fair Housing
What is Fair Housing?
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by Congress in 1988 in enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in the provision of housing and housing-related services based on race, color, religion, sex (gender/harassment), national origin, familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18) and/or disability. In addition, Nevada State Law prohibits discrimination because of ancestry, sexual orientation and gender identity of expression.
Washoe County is committed to affirmatively furthering fair housing for all residents of the County.
Federal and State fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression. For information about fair housing protections, contact:
Silver State Fair Housing Council
775.324.0990 ~ 888.585.8634 toll-free ~ Relay Nevada 711
fairhousing@ssfhc.org ~ www.ssfhc.org
Funding for this announcement was provided by a grant from Washoe County.
These laws apply to both public and private housing, and include apartments, single family dwellings, group homes, condominiums and cooperatives, mobile home parks, residence hotels, college dormitories, nursing homes, homeless shelters, homeowner associations, retirement communities, and public housing authorities.
Housing discrimination issues may include:
- Refusing to sell, rent or negotiate for housing
- Misrepresenting availability
- Imposing different terms, conditions or modifications for people with disabilities
- Advertising a preference, limitation or discrimination
- Steering to specific neighborhood or section of a housing complex because of membership in a protected class
People who believe that they have experienced housing discrimination have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and/or Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC), the government agencies that enforce fair housing laws. Silver State Fair Housing Council can assist community members to file those complaints. Note that people have up to one year after the last incident of discrimination to file an administrative complaint, and up to two years to file a court case.
Silver State Fair Housing Council
A private, nonprofit agency providing a comprehensive program of fair housing outreach, education, and enforcement services.
888-585-8634 toll-free / 775-324-0990 Northern Nevada / 702-749-3288 Southern Nevada
Relay Nevada 711
Website: www.ssfhc.org
Email: fairhousing@ssfhc.org
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development/ Regional Office in San Francisco
Federal agency enforcing the Federal Fair Housing Act; receives and investigates bona fide claims of housing discrimination.
800-347-3739
415-489-6564 TTY
Website: www.hud.gov
Nevada Equal Rights Commission
State agency enforcing state fair housing laws; receives and investigates bona fide claims of housing discrimination.
775-823-6690 Northern Nevada / 702-486-7161 Southern NevadaNV Relay 711 or 800-326-6868
Website: http://nvdetr.org/nerc.htm
For information on local housing resources and available listings, please visit: NVHousingSearch.org is a free search tool that helps Washoe County citizens find rental homes that fit their needs and budgets. It's fast and easy to use. Property providers can list apartments or homes for rent located anywhere in Nevada including Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. Our list is always up to date. NVHousingSearch.org also has a toll-free call center open 6 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday available at 877.428.8844 to help people listing or searching for housing.