The Equal Rights Center

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The ERC advances equal access, opportunity, and fair treatment so individuals and communities can thrive. Learn more: https://equalrightscenter.org/

Housing discrimination: sales and lending. What is the Fair Housing Act and how does it apply to home sales and lending? The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal nationwide to discriminate in housing on the basis of your membership in 7 "protected classes" - including race, color, religion, disability, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), and familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18 in one's household). State and local fair housing laws may have additional protected characteristics. You can view a list of all locally protected classes in the DC region on the ERC's website. The Fair Housing Act applies to most housing transactions, including buying or selling a home, applying for a mortgage or home loan, receiving a property appraisal, and seeking homeowner's insurance. What can housing discrimination look like? Signs of housing discrimination during sales or lending transactions might include: A realtor only shows you homes in certain neighborhoods, even though you expressed an interest in other neighborhoods within your budget; A bank or mortgage broker steers you to a particular loan product - for example, an FHA loan - without knowing your financial qualifications; A bank or mortgage broker denies your loan application or offers you less favorable terms because you are on or about to take maternity leave; A realtor, bank, or mortgage broker provides you with bad customer service - for example, they ignore you or send repeated requests for the same information; or A real estate agent, lender, or insurance company tells you that they simply do not sell, lend, or insure houses in the neighborhood where you're interested in living.
Text reads: Fair housing week of action. Fair housing isn't partisan. It never has been. For decades, Congress has supported federal funding for local fair housing organizations to help people understand their rights and enforce the Fair Housing Act of 1968. HUD's actions will prevent experienced, frontline organizations from receiving funding to fight back against housing discrimination faced by you and your neighbors. Tell Congress to protect fair housing today.
94 trainings
Text reads: Fair housing week of action. Housing discrimination doesn't stop when funding to stop it does. If fair housing organizations close, people facing discrimination are left to fight alone. Veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, black and brown families, LGBTQ+ communities, survivors of domestic & sexual violence. Tell Congress to protect fair housing today.
Text reads: Fair housing week of action. Local fair housing organizations fighting discrimination are at risk. New actions by HUD could force these organizations to close or significantly reduce services. We need you to call on Congress to defend the organizations on the frontlines against discrimination.
ERC Executive Director Kate Scott speaks.
Text reads "For generations, the traditional lending market denied families who were ready to own a home. Programs built to change that are now under attack."
Text reads "The Trump Administration is attacking housing protections for LGBTQ+ people: We need your help to fight back."
Text reads "Digital redlining must be stopped."
ERC Fair Housing Director Susie McClannahan speaks.
ERC Executive Director Kate Scott poses with Impact for Equality awardee Jackie Simon.
ERC Deputy Director S. Carteret Surface (middle) poses with Partner in Progress awardees Rachel Nadas (left) and Martha Guarnieri (right).
A full room of attendees listen to speakers at True Reformer Hall in Washington, D.C.
Text reads: Example minimum income requirement calculations for a voucher holder: Total rent ($2,000 per month) x3 = likely illegal minimum income requirement: $6,000 per month or $72,000 per year. Amount covered by voucher ($1,800 per month) plus renter's portion ($200 per month) x3 = legal minimum income requirement: $600 per month or $7,200 per year.
A flyer with a light beige and blue background. At the top, bold dark blue text reads "We Want to Hear From You!" and "A few minutes of your time makes a big impact!" Body text explains that Montgomery County is developing a Five-Year Consolidated Plan to guide the use of HUD funds, and that community input on housing, homelessness, neighborhood improvements, and service needs will shape the County's funding priorities. A green circle on the right states the survey closes March 8. Bold text urges readers to share with their networks. Two QR codes are shown: the first for residents to complete the survey in English or Spanish, the second for stakeholders (organizations serving the community). The DHCA logo — featuring stylized buildings and a human figure in green and blue — appears in the bottom right corner.
Text reads: Protecting Civil Rights During Challenging Times 2026 Symposium Save The Date. 21 February 2026, Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Bowie State University. Student Center, 14000 Jericho Park Rd, Bowie, MD 20715. Together we will focus on addressing civil rights challenges in today's uncertain environment and the collaborative efforts needed to safeguard equity and justice for all Marylanders! Registration required. Scan QR Code or go to bit.ly/48P34rj. Questions or requests for accommodations? 410-767-8600. mccr.outreach@maryland.gov
Chart reads: Number of bedrooms in unit, likely number of people that should be allowed to live in the unit. 1, 3. 2, 5. 3, 7. 4, 9. 5, 11.
A woman walks through a park with a white cane and seeing eye dog. Text reads: Do you have a disability and use a service or assistance animal? Contact the ERC to learn about reasonable accommodations and your fair housing rights.
A man in a wheelchair and his service dog at the park. Text reads: Do you have a disability and use a service or assistance animal? Contact the ERC to learn about reasonable accommodations and your fair housing rights.
2025 Fair Housing Trends Report. Discrimination remains rampant as key investigators and fair housing enforcers were fired by HUD during the government shutdown.
Know Your Rights- If You Are Removed and Hospitalized. If you think your rights have been violated call Disability Rights DC at University of Legal Studies (202) 547-0198. If you want to know if you have a lawyer or who your lawyer is, call the Public Defender Services at (202) 824-2860. If you have already been committed, call your lawyer.
Person giving a speech in front of a protesting crowd. Text reads: Fair housing is under attack. Join the week of action. NFHA.
Person with a megaphone standing with a protesting crowd. Text reads: Fair housing is under attack. Join the week of action. NFHA.
Person with a megaphone standing with a protesting crowd. Text reads: Fair housing is under attack. Join the week of action. NFHA.
Group of people smiling. Text reads: Equal Rights Center 2024 Annual Report. Read the Report.
Celebrate Fair Housing Month! Join us at 10:30 a.m. for the ceremony! Explore the Fair: free workshops, home buying, employment skills, access to industry experts, personal finance tune-up! Big raffle prize: 60" screen TV. April 26, 2025 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Walter Reed Recreation Center, 2909 16th Street S., Arlington, VA 22204. Arlington County provides accommodations as described in the ADA Act. Call at least 5 days before the event: 703-228-3765 or TTY 703-228-4611. www.laif.mycaf.org
Free Event! Anne Arundel County Homeownership Resource Fair. Saturday, April 26, 2025. The Severn Center, 1160 Reece Road, Severn, Maryland 21144. Join us at the Fair from 10:00 - 2:00. Meet with real estate agents, lenders & housing counselors to learn more about: current real estate market climate, government financing programs for first-time homebuyers, credit, savings and budgeting techniques. Join a first-time homebuyer class (registration is full and now closed). Food truck and activities for kids. Questions? Contact Linda DeLuca at ldeluca@acdsinc.org
Text reads: Fair Housing Month Celebration Know Your Fair Housing Rights & Responsibilities. Monday, April 21, 2025 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176, Multipurpose Room. Learn about the Fair Housing Law and fair housing rights. Discover community resources, participate in interactive trivia and meet community partners. Accessibility Services, Equal Rights Center, Dulless Area Association of Realtors, Information & Referral, LAWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services, Transit and commuter services, Workforce Resource Center, and more! Learn more about fair housing at: loudoun.gov/fairhousing. If you require an accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance to participate, call 703-737-8323/TTY-711 or email housing@loudoun.gov. Three days advance notice is requested.
City of Laurel Maryland. Housing Resource Fair. Equitable Housing for All: Know Your Rights & Resources. Saturday, April 19th 12NOON - 3PM. Craig A. Moe Laurel Multiservice Center. 204 Fort Meade Road, Laurel, MD 20707. For more information, contact: The City of Laurel's Department of Economic and Community Development. (301) 725-5300 Ext. 2301
Flyer advertising DC Fair Housing Friday webinars by the Office of Human Rights. Text reads: April 4 11:00 AM The Office of Human Rights Learn about faith housing laws, the DC Human Rights Act, and how to file a discrimination complaint. April 11 11:00 AM The Equal Rights Center Understand local and federal protections related to tenancy screen policies, and explore best practices for screening applicants. April 18 11:00 AM The Department of Housing and Community Development & the Office of Disability Rights ADA reasonable accommodation and modification in fair housing: Examples in service animals, parking, structural changes, and accessible units with insights on affirmative fair housing marketing. April 25 11:00 AM the Office of the DC Attorney General Discover how the office enforces fair housing laws in a way that differs from OHR and tackles Source of Income discrimination.
Flyer advertising DC Fair Housing Friday webinars by the Office of Human Rights. Text reads: April 4 11:00 AM The Office of Human Rights Learn about faith housing laws, the DC Human Rights Act, and how to file a discrimination complaint. April 11 11:00 AM The Equal Rights Center Understand local and federal protections related to tenancy screen policies, and explore best practices for screening applicants. April 18 11:00 AM The Department of Housing and Community Development & the Office of Disability Rights ADA reasonable accommodation and modification in fair housing: Examples in service animals, parking, structural changes, and accessible units with insights on affirmative fair housing marketing. April 25 11:00 AM the Office of the DC Attorney General Discover how the office enforces fair housing laws in a way that differs from OHR and tackles Source of Income discrimination.
Flyer advertising Community Listening Session by Legal Aid DC. Text reads: COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION. Legal Aid DC wants to hear from you! Legal Aid DC invites members of the community to a listening session on the various bills being introduced by the DC Council related to ERAP, affordable housing, eviction, rent control, and utilities. Your input and ideas will help us better serve our neighbors! When: Thursday, April 17th, 5pm - 7pm. Where: MLK Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC, Conference room 401-F. Who can attend? We welcome anyone who is willing to share their perspective and experience as a DC resident. You do not need to be a current or former client of Legal Aid to participate. What should I expect? The session will be an open conversation where participants can share their challenges, ideas, and questions about community issues. The session will be facilitated by our Legal Aid DC Staff. Why should I join? The feedback we get from the listening session will inform our outreach, policy, and advocacy efforts and help us strengthen the DC community! By attending this session, you will understand how the proposed legislation can impact your rights as a tenant and how you work to create meaningful change in your community. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Reserve your spot here or scan the QR code. Venue is wheelchair-accessible. Questions? Email outreach@legalaiddc.org
Illustration of a group of friends huddled under an umbrella. Text reads: Weathering the storm, protecting civil rights in 2025. ERC Annual Meeting. Friday, April 25, 12:00 - 1:30 PM. Equal Rights Center Office. In the CNN Building nearby Union Station. 820 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002.