The Office of Human Rights was awarded $270,000 from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to address fair housing issues in the District. The DC OHR is proud to serve on the front lines of the fight to ensure the fight to affirmative further fair housing for all District residents.

It is evident that some of the most caustic forms of housing discrimination occur when individuals belonging to a particular community attempt to rent or purchase a home. Specific communities in the District of Columbia that have faced systemic discrimination at the time of their application for housing include individuals who identify as LGBT, individuals with disabilities, and applicants with children.

Sexual orientation, disability status and familial status are all “Protected Classes” under the DC Human Rights Act. HUD’s award will specifically address forms of housing discrimination directed at members of these communities.

Through partnerships with the Equal Rights Center (ERC) and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), this award enables the Office of Human Rights to:

• Conduct a District-wide Fair Housing Testing Initiative;
• Provide Educational Trainings to District housing inspectors;
• Conduct data analysis regarding systemic lending discrimination in the District; and
• Develop an Awareness and Education campaign for District residents to learn about their rights to fair housing.

HUD’s Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) program awarded a total of $7.5 million to municipalities in 31 states and the District of Columbia. The District was awarded the most funding per capita of any other applicant: $0.43 per resident. Average per capita earnings was $0.06 per state resident.