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Fair Housing Statement

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

Our Commitment to Fair Housing

DMV Housing is committed to ensuring equal housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or source of income. We strictly adhere to all federal, state, and local fair housing laws.

Federal Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended) prohibits discrimination in housing and housing-related transactions based on:

Protected Classes

  • • Race or color
  • • National origin
  • • Religion
  • • Sex (including sexual harassment)
  • • Familial status (families with children)
  • • Disability (physical or mental)

Prohibited Actions

  • • Refuse to rent or sell housing
  • • Set different terms or conditions
  • • Falsely deny availability
  • • Persuade to sell or rent (blockbusting)
  • • Refuse reasonable accommodations
  • • Refuse reasonable modifications

Washington D.C. Human Rights Act

The D.C. Human Rights Act provides even broader protections than federal law, additionally prohibiting discrimination based on:

  • • Source of income
  • • Place of residence
  • • Sexual orientation
  • • Gender identity/expression
  • • Marital status
  • • Age
  • • Personal appearance
  • • Political affiliation
  • • Matriculation
  • • Family responsibilities
  • • Genetic information
  • • Victim of domestic violence

Source of Income Protection: It is illegal in D.C. to discriminate against tenants using Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), TANF, SSI, or other lawful sources of income.

Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications

Reasonable Accommodations

Changes to rules, policies, practices, or services to allow persons with disabilities equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing.

Examples: Allowing assistance animals, reserved parking, live-in aide

Reasonable Modifications

Physical changes to the premises that allow persons with disabilities full enjoyment of housing.

Examples: Installing grab bars, ramps, widening doorways

Landlords must permit reasonable modifications at the tenant\'s expense and cannot refuse reasonable accommodations unless they pose an undue financial or administrative burden.

DMV Housing\'s Fair Housing Practices

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Equal Service to All

We provide services to all qualified individuals without discrimination.

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Accessible Communications

We provide materials in alternative formats upon request.

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Training & Education

We educate landlords and tenants about fair housing rights and responsibilities.

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Complaint Assistance

We help individuals file fair housing complaints with appropriate agencies.

Examples of Housing Discrimination

Discriminatory practices include:

  • • "No Section 8" in advertisements or refusing voucher holders
  • • Charging higher rent or security deposits to protected classes
  • • Steering people to certain neighborhoods based on race
  • • Refusing to rent to families with children
  • • Sexual harassment by landlords or property managers
  • • Denying assistance animals for persons with disabilities
  • • Using different qualification criteria for protected classes
  • • Evicting tenants who request reasonable accommodations
  • • Falsely claiming units are unavailable
  • • Discriminatory advertising language

Penalties for Violations

Federal Penalties

  • • First violation: Up to $21,039
  • • Second violation (within 5 years): Up to $52,596
  • • Third+ violation (within 7 years): Up to $105,194
  • • Criminal penalties for violence or threats

D.C. Penalties

  • • Compensatory damages to victims
  • • Punitive damages up to $10,000
  • • Civil penalties up to $10,000
  • • Attorney\'s fees and costs

File a Fair Housing Complaint

If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination, you have the right to file a complaint:

Federal - HUD

Phone: 1-800-669-9777 (TTY: 1-800-927-9275)
Online: www.hud.gov/fairhousing
File within: 1 year of incident

D.C. Office of Human Rights

Phone: (202) 727-4559
Address: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20001
File within: 1 year of incident

Private Legal Action

You may file a lawsuit in federal or D.C. court
File within: 2 years of incident (federal) or 3 years (D.C.)
Potential remedies: Damages, injunctive relief, attorney\'s fees

Resources and Support

National Fair Housing Alliance: www.nationalfairhousing.org

Equal Rights Center: (202) 234-3062 | www.equalrightscenter.org

D.C. Fair Housing Resources: www.fairhousing.dc.gov

Legal Aid Society of D.C.: (202) 628-1161

Fair Housing Accessibility First: www.fairhousingfirst.org

DMV Housing is an equal opportunity housing provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.