Office of Fair Housing
The Office of Fair Housing promotes equal housing opportunity by providing education, guidance, and resources to help residents and housing providers understand their rights and responsibilities under fair housing laws.
Fair housing work focuses on the following protected classes in the City of Cleveland:
- Age
- Ancestry
- Color
- Disability
- Ethnic group
- Familial status
- Gender identity
- Marital Status
- National origin
- Race
- Religion
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Mission
To promote equal housing opportunity by increasing awareness of fair housing rights, connecting residents to resources, and supporting efforts that help prevent housing discrimination.
Here for Every Cleveland Resident
- We educate residents, landlords, and community organizations and share resources to help prevent housing discrimination
- We guide residents and landlords through fair housing rights and responsibilities under local, state, and federal laws
- We refer residents to appropriate enforcement agencies
- We support partnerships that promote equitable housing practices
How to File a Fair Housing Complaint
- If you have experienced illegal discrimination in housing, you can call us at the number below between 8 am and 5 pm to learn about the options available to you and file a complaint.
- If possible, please have the following information available when you call
- Lease or mortgage documents
- Written documentation of the incident
- Names and phone numbers for any witnesses
After speaking with you and learning about what happened, staff from the Office of Fair Housing will determine whether there is probable cause to conduct a full investigation and refer the matter to the Fair Housing Board for a potential hearing.
216-664-2018 (Español: 216-664-2019) - Weekdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
City of Cleveland Diversity Statement
The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life for its residents. We recognize that the diversity of a community is integral to creating vibrant neighborhoods of choice where people want to live and work.
A diverse community enriches the lives of its residents, promotes respect and appreciation for other cultures, and should be recognized as a source of strength. A diverse community broadens the experience of its residents and prepares them to participate in an increasingly challenging society.
By embracing diversity, the City of Cleveland acknowledges the benefits of an inclusive community in which the full and active participation of all its residents is desired, valued, and encouraged regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, marital or familial status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, socioeconomic status, Vietnam-era or disabled veteran status, or any other distinguishing characteristic that all too often divides people in society.
The City is committed to ensuring that its citizens have equal access to opportunities, full participation in civic affairs, and mutual understanding between individuals of diverse backgrounds. The City of Cleveland further commits to working with decision-makers, stakeholders, and residents to support fair housing policies and eliminate obstacles that may impede progress toward achieving the goal of a diverse community.