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civil rights

Hate Crimes

and housing






Hate Crimes and Fair Housing

How do Hate Crimes Relate to Fair Housing?

Hate crimes--be it against a particular race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, etc.--harm individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities. A single incident can send fear throughout an entire community. When hate crimes are combined with housing--that is, are done at the victim's home, etc.--it's not only a criminal matter, it's a fair housing violation, as well.

2008 marked the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Act, passed just days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., promotes equal access to housing and protects us from illegal discrimination in housing.

Illegal housing discrimination occurs when a person is denied housing, harassed or intimidated in a transaction or situation having to do with his / her housing based one or more "protected classes." (Visit www.FHCO.org/mission.htm to learn more about protected classes.) Fair housing laws make the American Dream possible, but discrimination, intimidation, harassment and violence still plague the experience of many.

When Hate Follows You Home

It is important for communities to send a strong message that hate and discrimination will not be tolerated in their neighborhoods. There are many resources available to individuals and groups; just a few are listed below. Please take a stand, read up on the matter, talk to your friends, embrace and support your neighbors - together we can irradicate illegal housing discrimination and hate crimes!

What Can You Do?

  • Violence, vandalism and threatening or intimidating behavior and speech should be reported immediately to the police. If you witness a hate crime, or have information about a hate crime, call the police immediately.
  • If it is housing-related, also call our Fair Housing Hotline at 800/424-3247 Ext. 2. The Hotline is a free, confidential service. The Fair Housing Council of Oregon also has many educational resources available, including trainings and a traveling exhibit on the history of housing discrimination that are available to groups and communities.
  • Read and share "Fight Hate: Rapid Response Strategy" which offers steps for providing immediate assistance to victims of housing related hate activity. http://www.nationalfairhousing.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Svp8X%2bHvkBk
    %3d&tabid=2555&mid=5437
  • Read and share the "Fight Hate Guide," a prevention and response guide for American neighborhoods. http://www.nationalfairhousing.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=eyf%2fmkaLzG8
    %3d&tabid=2555&mid=5437

Hate Crimes In the News

Watch our Breaking News page at www.FHCO.org/breaking_news.htm for information on local hate crimes and housing discrimination in the news.

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"Thank You"

The FHCO would like to thank our partners and members for their support.
Their grants and contributions have helped to make the resources on this site possible.
Please join them in our efforts!







If you have a fair housing question, or to report a fair housing complaint, please call 503/223-8197 Ext. 2 or 800/424-3247 Ext. 2 (TTY and translation available). Alternatively, you may call HUD at 800/877-0246.


Service Area:
Office Location:
Contact:

Oregon and Southwest Washington
506 SW Sixth, Suite 1111, PORTLAND OR . 97204
information@FHCO.org .| .503/223-8295 .| .Hotline 800/424-3247 Ext. 2

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and the publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.

©2010. FHCO. All rights reserved.