skip to main content

King County Office of Civil Rights
Bailey de Iongh, Director

Yesler Building
400 Yesler Way,
Room 260
Seattle, WA 98104-2683

206-296-7592
TTY 206-296-7596
206-296-4329 Fax
Civil-Rights.OCR
@kingcounty.gov

Hours: Weekdays
8:30 am - 4:30 pm

WASHINGTON STATE FAIR HOUSING UPDATE

Published by the Fair Housing Partners of Washington
April 2010

ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE

24th ANNUAL TACOMA FAIR HOUSING CONFERENCE
On April 22, 9am to 4pm, the conference will be held at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma. Clock Hours and Continuing Legal Education credits will be available. For information, call 253-591-5151, see the flyer or check City of Tacoma. For registration, go to conference registration

NEW SAMPLE POLICY ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND FAIR HOUSING AVAILABLE
The Fair Housing Partners of Washington State have developed a sample policy on domestic violence to assist rental housing owners and managers in establishing policies and procedures that comply with fair housing laws. This policy includes legal background, as well as guidelines for use with applicants and residents who have been involved in domestic violence incidents. To obtain your copy in print or on CD, contact the King County Office of Civil Rights: 206-296-7592, TTY 296-7596, or by e-mail to Civil-Rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov.

NWFHA RECEIVES HUD EDUCATION AND OUTREACH GRANT
Northwest Fair Housing Alliance has received a $99,197 Fair Housing Initiatives Program Education and Outreach grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. EOI funding in 2010 will allow NWFHA to expand its services in Eastern and Central Washington, focusing on regions with high rates of loan denials, subprime lending, and foreclosures, especially communities with limited English proficiency.

FAIR HOUSING TESTING THREE PART SERIES, PART II – TESTING OUTCOMES: FAMILIAL STATUS
The Fair Housing Act added familial status to its list of protected classes in 1974, to prohibit discrimination in housing transactions against families with children. In addition to prohibiting an outright denial of housing to families with children, the Act also prevents housing providers from imposing any special requirements or conditions on tenants who have children 18 years or younger in their custody. Recently the Fair Housing Center has settled two familial status cases to familial status discrimination, using testing evidence.

HOW SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY ARE TACKLING INSTITUTIONAL INEQUITIES THROUGH SYSTEMIC CHANGE
People of color in Seattle-King County account for a disproportionate number of people living in poverty. They also continue to experience discrimination in housing, employment, education and public places. The City of Seattle and King County are tackling the problem directly. Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative seeks to end institutional racism in City government and to promote multiculturalism and full participation by all residents. King County’s Equity and Social Justice Initiative seeks to create a place of opportunity, fairness, equity and social justice where all people thrive.

NWFHA & CATHOLIC FAMILY AND CHILD SERVICES VOLUNTEER CHORE SERVICES PARTNER PROVIDE RAMPS
Northwest Fair Housing Alliance has presented a $4,000 check to Volunteer Chore Services to construct at least five wheelchair ramps for low income seniors or younger adults with disabilities. The money was part of a discrimination settlement received by NWFHA, and the funds were intended to go to an organization that helps to provide accessibility for people with disabilities. VCS has a long history of building ramps and making other modifications that help low income clients remain living independently in their own homes.

Get our newsletter

UPCOMING FAIR HOUSING EVENTS

ARTICLES FROM PAST ISSUES

ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION – The Washington State Fair Housing Update is a publication of Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agencies and non-profit fair housing organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development
206-220-5170, 1-800-877-0246,
TTY 206-220-5185, www.hud.gov/offices/fheo

Washington State Human Rights Commission
360-753-6770, 1-800-233-3247,
TTY 1-800-300-7525, www.hum.wa.gov

King County Office of Civil Rights
206-296-7592, TTY 206-296-7596
www.kingcounty.gov/civilrights

Seattle Office for Civil Rights
206-684-4500, TTY 206-684-4503
www.cityofseattle.net/civilrights

Tacoma Human Rights & Human Services Department
253-591-5151, TTY 253-591-5153
www.cityoftacoma.org/HRHS

Fair Housing Center of Washington
253-274-9523, 1-888-766-8800,
TTY 253-274-9523, www.fhcwashington.org

Northwest Fair Housing Alliance (Spokane)
509-325-2665, 1-800-200-FAIR (3247)
www.nwfairhouse.org