Fair Housing: Housing Division, Vermont Department of Housing & Community Affairs

Fair Housing is the right to equal opportunity in rental, sale, and financing of housing under federal, state and local laws.

The Federal Fair Housing Act was part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, making it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, and sex. In 1988, Congress added familial status and disability to the categories protected under that law. Vermont's Fair Housing Act is similar to federal law with four additional protected categories: marital status, age, sexual orientation, and receipt of public assistance.

The CVOEO Fair Housing Project works to eradicate housing discrimination in Vermont through education, outreach and enforcement of fair housing laws. The FHP has conducted several studies funded by HUD on fair housing rental and sales practices in Vermont. The FHP advocates for victims of discrimination and conducts screening to help determine whether or not a case has merit and makes appropriate referrals to enforcement agencies. In addition, the FHP has created public awareness campaigns including bus advertisements, radio and televised public service announcements, and educational trainings.

Check out the new CVOEO Fair Housing Handbook, and CVOEO Fair Housing Handbook for Landlords! more

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Spring 2008 Fair Housing Newletter

Fall 2008 Fair Housing Newsletter

Spring 2009 Fair Housing Newsletter

The Vermont Human Rights Commission has a new website! The VHRC enforces a number of antidiscrimination laws including the Fair Housing and Public Accomodations Act, and Fair Employment Practices Act (when the employer is a State agency). The following memoranda explain the rights of the elderly and people with disabilities in mobile home parks, and the rights of people with disabilities to have support animals. The Human Rights Commission can be reached toll-free at 1-800-416-2010.

The Housing Discrimination Law Project, a project of Vermont Legal Aid, Inc. is dedicated to defending the civil rights of victims of housing discrimination by pursuing justice on their behalf. They investigate complaints of housing discrimination, pursue litigation when necessary, and enforce both federal and state fair housing laws. The Housing Discrimination Law Project also provides fair housing education and information to individuals and groups statewide as well as referrals to other agencies who do fair housing investigations, including the Vermont Human Rights Commission and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For information call 1-800-889-2047.

The Vermont Center for Independent Living: "Mission Accessible
Consumer choice, autonomy and control define the Independent Living Movement. The independent living philosophy holds that individuals with disabilities have the right to live with dignity and with appropriate support in their own homes, fully participate in their communities, and to control and make decisions about their lives. Vermont Center for Independent Living - Citizens with disabilities working together for dignity, independence and civil rights."

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing at the Municipal Level - a Powerpoint presentation of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs and Vermont Legal Aid.

Upcoming fair housing training opportunities:

--REMOVING BARRIERS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING & AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
This workshop will explain the relationship between fair housing law and land use regulations. Tools will be provided to help municipalities avoid violating federal and state fair housing laws.

January 14, 2010 1-4 p.m. Bellows Falls Women's Club meeting room, 7 Square, Bellows Falls, VT more

Hosted by Southern Windsor & Windham County Regional Planning Commissions

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) is a study conducted every five years in connection with the State's programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Vermont's AI was conducted in 2006 and continues to be used to provide a basis for a broad-based education and outreach program and public relations campaign conducted jointly with the Vermont Human Rights Commission. Get your copy!

The AI is comprised of five parts: Executive Summary; Community Profile; Fair Housing Law, Policies and Enforcement; Focus Group Sessions, Fair Housing Index and HMDA Data; and Fair Housing Impediments and Remedial Actions. The Executive Summary and Impediments and Remedial Actions are available below. To purchase a full copy of the AI report please call the Human Rights Commission at (802)-828-2480, or for a CD call Arthur Hamlin at (802) 828-3211.

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