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Fair Housing

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Fair Housing Program

Equal access to housing for all is a right protected by law. Fair Housing laws allow you to obtain the housing of your choice, free from illegal discrimination.

Practicing Fair Housing

The City of San Diego is committed to furthering fair housing efforts by promoting fair and equal housing opportunities for its residents. It is committed to highlighting the Fair Housing Law, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) by continuing to address discrimination in our community and to support programs that will educate the public about the right to equal housing opportunities.

It is the City's policy to provide services without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status, familial status, source of income, sexual orientation or disability. This commitment extends to all programs provided by the City.

 

What is Fair Housing?

Fair housing can be defined as a condition in which individuals of similar income levels in the same housing market have a like range of housing choice available to them regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status, familial status, source of income, sexual orientation or disability.

What is Housing Discrimination?

Housing discrimination is unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals, in the area of housing and real estate, based on the individual's protected class.

What Guarantees My Right to Fair Housing?

The right to fair housing is assured by a variety of federal, state, and local laws, primarily the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and the City of San Diego's Municipal Code which make it unlawful to discriminate in renting, selling, financing, and insuring housing.

What Should I Do If I Have a Complaint?

If you believe you have been denied housing or the opportunity to apply for housing in the City because of a protected characteristic, contact the City's Fair Housing Hotline at 844-449-3500.

You are protected by federal, state and city law.

 

  • Federal Law

    prohibits discrimination
    based on:

    • Race
    • Color
    • Religion
    • National Origin
    • Sex (Gender)
    • Disability
    • Familial Status (Households with one or more children under age 18)

  • State Law

    prohibits discrimination
    based on:

    • Ancestry
    • Citizenship, Immigration Status
    • Primary Language
    • Marital Status
    • Sexual Orientation
    • Age
    • Medical Condition
    • Genetic Information
    • Gender Identity, Expression
    • Military or Veteran Status
    • Other Arbitrary Status

  • City Law

    prohibits discrimination
    based on:

    • Source of Income (including rental assistance)
    • The City of San Diego’s Municipal Code protects tenants from being denied housing solely because they receive rental assistance, such as Section 8 Housing Vouchers, paid directly to the renter, landlord or representative of either.

 

Fair Housing Hotline: 844-449-3500

 

Common Violations of Fair Housing Law

  • Refusal to rent, lease, or sell housing
  • Sexual harassment involving unwanted sexual advances or requiring sexual favors for housing rights or privileges
  • Discriminatory policies, practices, terms or conditions that result in unequal access to housing or housing-related services
  • Refusal to permit reasonable modifications to a dwelling space or common use area, at the tenant’s expense, when necessary to accommodate a disability
  • Refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services, when necessary to accommodate a disability
  • Denial of homeowner’s insurance or home loan

Report Violations

The City has engaged Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc. to provide FREE community outreach and legal services.

Fair Housing Center
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO INC. 110 S. Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92114

If you think you have experienced housing discrimination or harassment, contact the Fair Housing Center within one year of the incident. Follow these steps:

  1. Call the Fair Housing Hotline at 844-449-3500.
  2. Speak with a housing counselor about the incident.
  3. If merited, your complaint will be referred to a legal representative for an impartial investigation.
  4. If your complaint is accepted, an attempt will be made to assist both parties in resolving the issue.
  5. If the complaint is unresolved and there is evidence of a violation of the law, it may be litigated.

 

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI)

The City of San Diego, in conjunction with the San Diego Regional Alliance for Fair Housing, has completed the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) for Fiscal Year 2021 to 2025. Established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the AI is a streamlined process designed to help jurisdictions – like ours -- understand and evaluate our Fair Housing landscape.

The AI report represents a demographic profile of San Diego County, assesses the extent of housing needs among specific income groups, and evaluates the range of available housing choices for residents. The AI also analyzes the conditions in the private market and public sector that may limit the range of housing choices or impede a person’s access to housing. More importantly, this AI identifies impediments that may prevent equal housing access and develops solutions to mitigate or remove such impediments. To view the full report, please visit the following link. 

Review the Analyses of Fair Housing Impediments prepared by the San Diego region:

Public Notices - Past Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice: 

To further reflect its commitment to fair housing, the City has engaged the services of a Fair Housing Service Provider to provide community outreach and legal services:

Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc.
1764 San Diego Ave., Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92110-1987
877-534-2524 | General Inquiries
844-449-3500 | Fair Housing Hotline

Other Resources

211 (211sandiego.org)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
600 Harrison St., Third Floor
San Francisco, CA 94107-1300
800-347-3739

CRD | Civil Rights Department (ca.gov)
651 Bannon St., Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95811
800-700-2320

San Diego Regional Alliance for Fair Housing
Email: info@sdfairhousing.org

SDMC Section 131.0466 on Reasonable Accommodations in Development
The Federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act require that jurisdictions make reasonable accommodations to afford disabled persons the equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. In consideration of the special need and the potential benefit that can be accomplished with a requested modification, deviations may be approved.

To get in touch with the City directly about Fair Housing matters, please contact:

City of San Diego
Economic Development Department
1200 Third Ave., Suite 1400, MS 56D
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-236-6700

Fax: 619-533-3219
Email: CDBG@sandiego.gov

Public Service Announcements

Fair Housing Information: Brochures & Frequently Asked Questions

Practice Fair Housing Newsletters

Winter 2022 Fair Housing Newsletter

    Fair Housing Hotline
    1-844-449-3500