Fair Housing

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Fair housing or fair housing choice refers to the rights of residents to pursue housing without discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

Housing Discrimination

Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, familial status (presence of children), age, or physical disability. If a housing provider discriminates against someone based on any of these factors, that person has the right to seek help. Examples include:

A housing provider who refuses to rent or sell a home to a person because of the person’s race
A housing provider who offers unequal lease teams to a person because of the person’s familial status
A housing provider who quotes different rental or home prices to a person because of the person’s sex

However, a housing provider does have the right to deny housing to a person based on the person’s income, credit rating, or other information that is related to a person's ability and willingness to pay rent.

What to Do if You Have Experienced Housing Discrimination

If you feel you have experienced housing discrimination, contact Renters Helpline by dialing 916.389.7877 for assistance in filing a fair housing complaint.

Additional Resources

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): 800.347.3739
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing: 800.884.1684
Legal Services of Northern California, Sacramento Office: 916.551.2150
California Department of Consumer Affairs: 800.952.5210
Handbook California Tenants - A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities
Project Sentinel: 888.324.7468

How the City Is Furthering Fair Housing

The City of Rancho Cordova receives Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that supports needed services in our community, including programs for seniors and disadvantaged youth. With this funding, the city is required to ensure fair housing in our city by completing an analysis to identify barriers that may prevent individuals from having adequate access to fair housing and actions to eliminate these barriers.