Fair Housing Act Protects Hialeah Residents

Hialeah residents remain protected from housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, enacted April 11, 1968. The law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability.

Federal guidelines define housing discrimination. Examples include refusing to rent or sell a home for discriminatory reasons, applying different rental terms or fees, falsely claiming a property is unavailable, using discriminatory language in advertisements, or steering individuals toward or away from specific neighborhoods. Discrimination also extends to mortgage lending, appraisals, homeowners insurance and refusing reasonable accommodations or modifications for people with disabilities.

The City of Hialeah observes Fair Housing Month each April, encouraging residents, housing providers, real estate professionals and lenders to learn about and support equal housing opportunities. This observance highlights the Act's role in ensuring fair access to housing for everyone.

Individuals with disabilities have specific rights. They may request reasonable accommodations to housing rules, policies, practices or services to ensure they can use and enjoy their homes. They may also request reasonable modifications to their homes for accessibility. Costs for modifications may vary based on housing type and applicable laws.

The City of Hialeah's Housing and Community Services Division does not investigate fair housing complaints. Residents who believe they have experienced housing discrimination should contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity as soon as possible, as filing deadlines apply. HUD can be reached at 1-800-669-9777.

The Act strictly prohibits retaliation against anyone for reporting housing discrimination or participating in a fair housing investigation.