Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act protects tenants and prospective home buyers from discriminatory practices when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities.

As it relates to federally-assisted housing federal laws require housing and community development programs and activities to operate regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, sex (including gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual harassment), and other protected characteristics. FHEO enforces many civil rights laws that apply to public entities, including state and local government agencies, as well as recipients of federal financial assistance.

Who does the Act protect?

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of:

Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex (including gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual harassment)
Familial Status
Disability

Civil Rights Obligations of Public Entities and Recipients of Federal Assistance

2020 Analysis to Impediments of Fair Housing Choice

Filing A Complaint

Printable Fair Housing Information

The City of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability, and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation, including auxiliary aids and services, to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs and activities. Towards this end, we continually strive to make our web platform friendly to screen readers and other accessibility-related software, and provide accessible documents where possible. Any person requiring assistance, or would like a copy of a specific document, should contact the Human Resources Employee Relations Officer at 803-545-4265.