Housing Protections and Resources

STATE OF CALIFORNIA Gavin Newsom S t a t e C o u n c i l o n D e v e l o p m e n t a l D i s a b i l i t i e s Governor

L o s A n g e l e s O f f i c e www.scdd.ca.gov [email protected] 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 620 818/543-4631 Voice Glendale, CA 91203 818/543-4635 FAX

HOUSING: PROTECTIONS AND RESOURCES Housing Protections Both federal and state law protect certain protected groups of people from housing discrimination. There are also federal and state agencies that oversee this protection. They are the federal Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and the CA Dept. of Fair Employment and Housing.

California has strong laws that protect people from discrimination by housing providers. Housing providers include landlords, building owners, housing management companies, mortgage lenders, real estate agents, people selling their homes and others.

Who is protected? Housing providers cannot discriminate against people based on any of these characteristics: • Where your family’s ancestors came from (Ancestry, national origin) • If you are a citizen or not (Citizenship*) • Disability of any kind including physical, intellectual, developmental, mental health etc. • Families with children, pregnant people, foster families etc (Familial status) • Gender identity, gender expression for example people who are born male but express themselves as female, people who do not see themselves as either male or female, people who have changed from one gender to another (transgender) and others • Genetic information • Immigration status* • Married or single (Marital status) • If you served in the military, how you were discharged, if you are veteran etc. (Military and Veteran Status)

“The Council advocates, promotes & implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity & inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families." • The main language you speak (Primary language*) • Race, color • Religion or non-religious • Male or female (Sex, gender) • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer etc. (Sexual orientation) • Where your money comes from (Source of income such as SSI, SSDI, trust fund etc.)

*Covered under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which applies to most housing accommodations in California.

Housing providers cannot discriminate in any aspect of the housing business, including:

• Renting or leasing • Sales • Mortgage lending and insurance • Advertising • Practices such as restrictive covenants – For example, a homeowner’s association may require home owners to have a certain look to the front of their houses. This cannot prevent a person from installing a ramp for access. • New construction Examples of housing discrimination If a housing provider decides to do any of the following based on someone belonging to a protected group, these are examples of discrimination.

• Refuse to sell, rent, or lease rooms, apartments, condos or houses • Tell you that a housing unit is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when it is, in fact, available • Deny a home loan or homeowner’s insurance • Offer a deal that is worse than what is offered to others such as not allowing you to use the gym in the building, giving fewer parking spaces, charging higher rent etc. (Offer inferior terms, conditions, privileges, facilities or services in connection with the housing accommodation)

“The Council advocates, promotes & implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity & inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families." • Refuse to permit reasonable modifications when necessary to accommodate a disability. (Accommodations are made at the tenant’s expense.) • Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in housing rules, policies, practices, or services where necessary to allow a disabled person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling • Retaliate against someone filing a complaint or asserting their rights under the fair housing law.

Exception for senior housing: Housing designed to meet the needs of senior citizens can legally exclude households with children. This includes senior citizen mobile home parks.

Disabilities and reasonable accommodations People with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations so they can access and enjoy their housing to the same extent as others.

What is Reasonable? The request is not an undue burden, does not require a fundamental alteration in business, and is not a direct threat. • Undue burden – too expensive, dangerous, too difficult • Fundamental alteration – changes the way things work, e.g. landlord cannot be required to feed and walk a service dog • Direct threat – compromise to health, safety of tenants, causes substantial damage to property

Process of requesting accommodations: • Make request • If your disability is not obvious, you may need to verify it. This is not required for obvious disabilities. See how to verify below. • Make sure the accommodation is connected to your disability. Draw a clear line between them. • You can request multiple accommodations. • If the landlord denies the accommodation, they must engage in an interactive process with you to try to find a compromise solution. In other words, the landlord must discuss options with you.

Verification of disability can be done various ways. Individual can provide information about their disability Medical professional Peer support group Non-medical service agency Reliable 3rd party Landlords cannot demand a diagnosis or medical records.

Modification to unit or building: If you request a physical modification to your unit or to the building, you as the tenant pays for the modification and to reverse it if needed at the end of tenancy. The only exception is if the housing entity receives certain types of federal housing funds. Accommodations must be installed correctly and safely and comply with building and safety codes.

Confidentiality All requests for accommodations must remain confidential. Your landlord cannot disclose your disability or accommodations to others without your written permission.

“The Council advocates, promotes & implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity & inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families." HOUSING RESOURCES UPDATE: January 2020 Please feel free to contact us if any information is found to be missing or incorrect

FEDERAL RESOURCES

HUD: Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 housing) information:

General information about Section 8 List of public housing agencies by zip code Fair Housing Advocate

CALIFORNIA STATE RESOURCES

Department of Fair Employment and Housing Department of Developmental Services Housing Resources Housing California, Residents United Project Tenants Together

LOS ANGELES COUNTY/CITY RESOURCES

A Community of Friends - Housing resources for people with mental illness Housing Rights Center - Supports and promotes fair housing through education, advocacy and litigation throughout LA County LA Housing and Community Investment Department - Resource for renters and homeowners in the city of Los Angeles Accessible housing listings LA City Housing Authority LA County Dept. of Consumer and Business Affairs: Information for renters including the process of renting, renters’ rights and so forth LA County Housing Resource Center LA County Housing Resources LA Family Housing

HOUSING SEARCH TOOLS

CA Housing and Community Development, Affordable Housing Listings Housing Rights Center, Rental Listings Rental listings at LA County Housing Authority HUD: Affordable Apartment Search tool Low Income Housing search Housing and Community Investment and Development, Special needs populations

LEGAL HELP

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law - 202-467-5730 Bet Tzedek: The House of Justice - 323-939-0506 California Department of Fair Employment and Housing - 800-884-1684 The Fair Housing Council of the San Fernando Valley - 800-287-4617 Fair Housing Foundation - 800-446-3247 Housing Rights Center Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board - 800-321-0911 LawHelp California Neighborhood Legal Services of LA County, legal assistance including eviction defense Public Counsel, Eviction Defense Services Western Center on Law and Poverty

LOW INCOME HOME MODIFICATION ASSISTANCE

HandyWorker Program, Los Angeles Housing Department - 866-557-7368

Rebuilding Together Southern California Council - 714-657-8174