Join ERC and the West Virginia Human Rights Commission on Wednesday, April 22nd from 1–2 PM for a free virtual Lunch & Learn on reasonable accommodations and modifications for people with disabilities. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Attend the NVAR and Fairfax County Fair Housing Lunch & Learn on Thursday (April 16) at 12PM to learn about how housing providers can ensure equal access for people with disabilities. The event will take place at the NVAR Event Center in Fairfax, VA. RSVP: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/humanrights/...
Come to the Loudoun County Fair Housing Lunch & Learn on Wed. April 15 at the Dept. of Economic Development in Ashburn, VA. Speakers from the Virginia Fair Housing Board & Loudoun County HCD will cover recent fair housing cases and their impact on our community. RSVP: www.loudoun.gov/FormCenter/H...
Trump’s HUD is trying to quietly change a rule that’s protected families since 1982.
The result? Families torn apart and U.S.-born kids pushed toward homelessness or deportation.
We can stop it.
Submit a unique comment before April 21:
keep-families-together.org
#KeepFamiliesTogether
Join MCCR and ERC tomorrow for a webinar on Maryland's source of income housing protections. Learn about tenant screening best practices and signs of discrimination. Voucher holders, housing professionals, and service providers are all encouraged to attend. RSVP: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We’re celebrating #FairHousingMonth with events for renters, homebuyers, housing professionals, community advocates, and more. From educational webinars and housing fairs to our annual FH Month meeting, these are some of the events we’re most excited about: equalrightscenter.org/fhm-event-sp...
Happy #FairHousingMonth! ERC has partnered with three DC agencies to offer four virtual sessions on fair housing hot topics. This Friday at noon, OHR will present on housing rights in DC and how to file a discrimination complaint. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
No #AprilFools here! We take #FairHousingMonth seriously! We have a packed slate of events—Know Your Rights webinars, in-person resource fairs, trainings for housing professionals, and more—starting this Friday! All events are free and open to the public. equalrightscenter.org/fair-housing...
BREAKING: ERC announced a lawsuit today alleging that Weavers Row Apartments in D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood was designed and constructed in such a way that excludes people with disabilities from the property. equalrightscenter.org/press-releas...
A new HUD proposal would allow public housing authorities and private landlords renting to tenants with housing vouchers to limit assistance to as little as two years and require recipients to work up to 40 hours per week, jeopardizing aid for people with disabilities. www.npr.org/2026/02/27/n...
Some D.C. developers are exploiting voucher programs to convert affordable rent-controlled properties into lucrative, voucher-only buildings.
Contributor Suzie Amanuel spoke with tenants and pored over court filings and public records to bring you the story:
ERC's Kate Scott & Susie McClannahan spoke with @wcp.bsky.social on how developers use loopholes to gut DC's affordable housing stock. "Voucher holders are essentially being exploited for really high rents and in buildings that have very poor conditions."
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7819...
Representatives from the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and DC Attorney General’s Office will speak at ERC's annual meeting in celebration of Fair Housing Month on April 24. Register to join the conversation about housing justice in this difficult time:
secure.everyaction.com/PGR7O6KZ7EqQ...
MD and DC joined 14 other states in suing HUD for "eviscerating" fair housing enforcement and undermining state protections. “We will not be bullied into turning our backs on the people these laws were built to protect,” said Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. oag.maryland.gov/News/Pages/A...
Still have questions, or think you may have been discriminated against based on your housing voucher in DC, Maryland, or Virginia? Call the Equal Rights Center at 202-234-3062 or email info@equalrigthscenter.org.
If your voucher covers the entire rent, meaning your portion is $0, it would likely be illegal for a landlord to reject you for any credit-related reason. If your portion is not $0, landlords should consider credit on a case-by-case basis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4lM...
Text reads: Example minimum income requirement calculations for a voucher holder: Total rent ($2,000 per month) x3 = likely illegal minimum income requirement: $6,000 per month or $72,000 per year. Amount covered by voucher ($1,800 per month) plus renter's portion ($200 per month) x3 = legal minimum income requirement: $600 per month or $7,200 per year.
Landlords often require tenants to meet a minimum income requirement, like three times the monthly rent. If you use a housing voucher, the landlord can only require that you meet the income requirement for your portion of rent, not the whole rent amount. equalrightscenter.org/wp-content/u...
Do you live in Maryland and use a housing voucher? An ERC investigation found that landlords may be misapplying minimum income requirements for voucher holders and incorrectly considering applicants’ credit. Follow this thread to learn more!
ERC Executive Director Kate Scott comments, “We’re excited to reach this agreement with JAG to ensure their tenant screening policies and practices align with the law, so everyone has a fair shot at living in their neighborhood of choice.”
PRESS RELEASE: ERC today announced a cooperation agreement with JAG Management Company to ensure a fair tenant screening process for all applicants, including renters with housing vouchers, past evictions, and criminal records. equalrightscenter.org/jag-manageme...
Two new HUD proposals threaten the #FairHousing rights of immigrants, women, people of color, and more. One rule would gut Disparate Impact, a powerful tool for challenging unjust housing policies. Another would force nearly 80,000 people out of their homes. equalrightscenter.org/disparate-im...
A flyer with a light beige and blue background. At the top, bold dark blue text reads "We Want to Hear From You!" and "A few minutes of your time makes a big impact!" Body text explains that Montgomery County is developing a Five-Year Consolidated Plan to guide the use of HUD funds, and that community input on housing, homelessness, neighborhood improvements, and service needs will shape the County's funding priorities. A green circle on the right states the survey closes March 8. Bold text urges readers to share with their networks. Two QR codes are shown: the first for residents to complete the survey in English or Spanish, the second for stakeholders (organizations serving the community). The DHCA logo — featuring stylized buildings and a human figure in green and blue — appears in the bottom right corner.
Un volante en español con fondo beige claro y azul. En la parte superior, texto en azul oscuro dice "¡Queremos conocer su opinión!" y "¡Unos minutos de su tiempo tendrán un gran impacto!" El texto explica que el Condado de Montgomery desarrolla un Plan Consolidado a Cinco Años para orientar el uso de fondos de HUD, y que la opinión de la comunidad sobre vivienda, personas sin hogar, mejoras en vecindarios y servicios definirá el uso de estos fondos. Un círculo verde a la derecha indica que la encuesta cierra el 8 de marzo. Se muestran dos códigos QR: el primero para que residentes completen la encuesta en inglés o español, el segundo para partes interesadas (organizaciones comunitarias). En la esquina inferior derecha aparece el logotipo de DHCA, con edificios estilizados y una figura humana en verde y azul.
Do you live in Montgomery County, MD? The County's Community Needs Assessment Survey is now open until March 8! Your input shapes how the County spends federal funds over the next 5 years to address housing, community improvements, and service needs. form.jotform.com/260424410405...
Looking to rent or buy a home in NoVA? Connect with local agencies, nonprofits, lenders, and realtors at the NoVA Housing Expo on March 7 at Fairfax High School! Visit ERC’s booth to learn about your fair housing rights as a renter or homebuyer
novahousingexpo.org
Save the date! Join us in DC on April 24 for our annual meeting celebrating #FairHousingMonth. Engage with others committed to housing justice and learn how you can contribute to the movement, because the future of #FairHousing depends on all of us!
RSVP here: secure.everyaction.com/PGR7O6KZ7EqQ...
Text reads: Protecting Civil Rights During Challenging Times 2026 Symposium Save The Date. 21 February 2026, Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Bowie State University. Student Center, 14000 Jericho Park Rd, Bowie, MD 20715. Together we will focus on addressing civil rights challenges in today's uncertain environment and the collaborative efforts needed to safeguard equity and justice for all Marylanders! Registration required. Scan QR Code or go to bit.ly/48P34rj. Questions or requests for accommodations? 410-767-8600. mccr.outreach@maryland.gov
Join the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and ERC staff for a Civil Rights Symposium on Feb. 21, 9 AM at Bowie State University. Learn how local groups are addressing civil rights challenges in today's uncertain environment and collaborating to make an impact.
www.eventbrite.com/e/protecting...
Many D.C. agencies play a role in shaping residents’ housing opportunities. Your feedback helps ensure everyone can access safe, stable, affordable housing in their neighborhood of choice! Check out our guide to testifying! equalrightscenter.org/performance-...
Tell D.C. Council about your experiences with city agencies and services! Performance Oversight Hearings are important opportunities for District residents and organizations to provide feedback on how well city agencies are meeting the community’s needs. equalrightscenter.org/performance-...
MD lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit housing providers from considering an applicant’s income or credit score if the applicant receives an income-based housing subsidy (like a housing voucher).
Read ERC's full comments in support of HB 315: equalrightscenter.org/wp-content/u...
Join the ERC and @arlingtonva.us for a virtual fair housing training on Feb. 19 at 11 AM.
The webinar is focused on best practices for housing providers in Arlington when serving prospective and current residents with disabilities.
Sign up: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
MD lawmakers are considering a bill that would require housing providers to disclose screening criteria to applicants & notify denied applicants of reasons for the denial, improving transparency in the screening process. Read ERC's comments in support of HB 313: equalrightscenter.org/wp-content/u...
