Fair Housing Initiative Program
Housing is more than just a place to live — it’s where families grow, children learn, and communities thrive. That’s why Fair Housing laws exist: to protect people from discrimination and ensure everyone has equal access to housing opportunities. Many people do not realize that housing discrimination can happen in subtle ways. Understanding your rights can help protect you, your family, and your neighbors.
Have you been discriminated against in housing on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, familial status, or disability? Contact our fair housing complaint inquiry hotline by calling (520) 306-0938 or completing an online form.
In 1968 the Fair Housing Act (FHA) was signed, making it illegal for people to discriminate in any aspect of housing based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. The FHA defines these as their seven federally protected characteristics.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial Status
- Disability
The Fair Housing Act applies to when people are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in any other housing-related transactions.
- Refuse to rent, sell, or negotiate housing
- Otherwise make housing unavailable or discourage the purchase or rental of a dwelling.
- Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling.
- Provide a person different or limit privileges in housing services or facilities of a dwelling.
- Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental.
- Harass a person
- Use different qualifications criteria or applications, or sale or rental standards or procedures.
- Assign a person to a particular area of a building or neighborhood.
- Refuse to make a mortgage loan or provide other financial assistance for a dwelling.
- Refuse to provide information regarding loans.
- Impose different terms or conditions on a loan such as different interest rates, points, or fees.
- Impose different sales prices or rental charges for the sale or rental of a dwelling.
- Make an advertisement of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination.
- “The advertisement is wrong. The rent is really $50 higher per month starting in August.”
- “You might be more comfortable living elsewhere. I’ll show you neighborhoods with a religious community.”
- Unfortunately, steps are all we have. We can’t accommodate a walker for you.”
- “We recommend you and your family rent on the first floor for easier access.”
- “Due to your background, we will need to collect additional documents.”
- “No dogs allowed on this property, no exceptions.”
Trained Assistance Animals
Many people have questions about trained assistance animals, especially in homes or apartments with “no pets” rules. Trained assistance animals are not pets. They help people with disabilities in important ways, similar to tools like wheelchairs, hearing aids, or medicine.
Because of this, fair housing laws usually require landlords to make exceptions to “no pets” rules so people with disabilities can live in their homes with the help they need.
Program Partners
Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
City of Tucson Housing and Community Development
Family Housing Resources
People’s Defense Initiative/Tucson Tenants Union
Pima County Community Land Trust
Southwest Fair Housing Council
How To File A Complaint With SERI
Have you been discriminated against in housing on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, familial status, or disability? The Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits discrimination against anyone who identifies themselves under the seven protected characteristics during housing transactions. Contact our complaint inquiry hotline.
We respond within 1 business day, are an Arizona Relay Friendly Service Business partner and take inquiries in all languages. After initial intake information we refer your inquiry to our program partner, Southwest Fair Housing Council (SWFHC). SWFHC assists clients with allegations of illegal housing discrimination, provides investigative assistance, counseling, mitigation of damages, and refers clients to housing resources in Arizona. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us.
