2/10/09

What does housing discrimination really mean?

If you have been treated unfairly because of your race, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religious creed, color, national origin or disability including HIV status, because you intend to occupy a dwelling with minor children, or because you are the recipient of public assistance, then you have experienced illegal discrimination.

Discrimination is not always obvious and can take many forms. It may happen when a landlord refuses to rent you an apartment, or tells you it is unavailable when it is really vacant. It may occur when the terms and conditions of your lease are different from those of the landlord's other tenants. Illegal discrimination can also happen in advertisements.

The Fair Housing Project (FHP)

Call: 864-3334 x202

The Fair Housing Project (FHP) is a program of the Statewide Housing Services division of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO), a non-profit community action agency. The FHP works to eradicate housing discrimination in Vermont through education, outreach, and enforcement of fair housing laws. The FHP assists victims of discrimination, investigates complaints, and works with attorneys to pursue litigation when necessary.

Kevin Stapleton , Director
kstapleton@cvoeo.org
802-864-3334 x 102

Dani Fuoco, Education and Outreach Director
dfuoco@cvoeo.org
802-864-3334 x 109