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Equal Housing Opportunity . . .
What Every Citizen Should KnowFederal fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in housing based upon a person's Race... Color.. Religion... National Origin.. Sex... Handicap... Familial Status.
The Geauga County Fair Housing Commission, pursuant to its charge, has established a community-based program to receive and process complaints involving alleged illegal housing practices.
For Fair Housing Assistance:
(1) Call the Department of Community and Economic Development: 285-2222, 564-7131, or 834-1856 - Ext. 3440.
(2) Write or come in to the Department of Community and Economic Development, 2nd Floor, Courthouse Annex, 231 Main Street, Chardon, OH 44024.
Some of the acts which are illegal:1. It is unlawful for any person or other entity whose business includes engaging in "residential real estate related transactions" to discriminate against any person in making available such a transaction.
2. Making different terms and conditions for buying or renting houses.
3. Make, print, publish, or post statements or advertisements that a house or apartment is available only to persons of a certain race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap or familial status.
4. Deny housing is available for inspection, sale or rental (when it really is).
5. Discrimination in the financing, appraising, selling, brokering, or other "real estate related transactions," such as the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance.
6. Denying to persons the use of real estate services, brokerage services, or multiple listing services.
Familial Status
Means one or more individuals (under the age of 18) living with a parent or another person having legal custody of such individuals; or the designee or such parent or other person having such custody with the written permission of such parent or other person. The protection shall also apply to any person who is pregnant or in the process of securing legal custody of any individual under the age of 18.
Handicapped
Means with respect to a person with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity; has a record of such an impairment; or are regarded as having such an impairment.
Additional Protection If You Have A DisabilityIf you or someone associated with you:
- Has a physical or mental disability (including hearing, mobility, or visual impairment, chronic alcoholism, chronic mental illness, AIDS, AIDS-related Complex and mental retardation) that substantially limits one or more major life activity.
- Have a record of such a disability or
- Are regarded as having such a disability
Your landlord may not:
- Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas, at your expense, if necessary for the handicapped person to use the housing. (Where reasonable, the landlord may permit changes only if you agree to restore the property to its original condition when you move).
- Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services if necessary for the handicapped person to use the housing.
Example: A building with a "no pets" policy must allow a visually impaired tenant to keep a guide dog.
Example: An apartment complex that offers tenants ample, unassigned parking must honor a request from a mobility-impaired tenant for a reserved space near his/her apartment if necessary to assure that he/she can have access to his/her apartment.However, housing need not be made available to a person who is a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or who currently uses drugs.
Geauga County Fair Housing Commission
Court House Annex
231 Main Street
Chardon
2nd floor
Extension 3440
Staff:
Anita Stocker, Director
Diane M. Bruening, Housing Coordinator
Commission members:
Marilyn Hambrecht, Chairperson
Doris Jrososky
James Heslop
Jim Madrzak
Karen Shunk
Carol Johnson
Thomas Hummel
Jimmye Ardo
Agnes Stewart