Fair Housing laws exist to protect everyone's right to live in the neighborhood of his or her choice.

Housing Discrimination is more than a refusal to rent, sell or finance housing. With few exceptions, the law prohibits the following acts when based on race , color , religion , sex , national origin , familial status , disability , age , marital status , sexual orientation , student status , or source of income :

• Steering people and families to or away from a particular neighborhood or a certain part of an apartment complex;
• Charging a higher security deposit or offering different terms and conditions, use of facilities, or other services associated with the rental, sale or financing of housing;
• Having different qualifying standards, such as closer scrutiny of credit history for some groups while bending the rules for others;
• Saying that housing is not available to view, buy, or rent when it is in fact available;
• Sexual harassment by an owner or agent;
• Harassment of buyers or renters who are exercising their fair housing rights. 
• Harassment of sellers, rental agents, or real estate agents who refuse to discriminate.

The Fair Housing Center provides investigative services, testing, advice, advocacy, conciliation, attorney referral and community education. If you think you have experienced housing discrimination, the Fair Housing Center will take your complaint and let you know what your options are.

Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit
Suite 1312

1249 Washington Blvd.
Detroit MI 48226
Phone: (313) 963-1274

FAX (313) 963-4817

E-MAIL fhcdet@mail.com

You can also submit your complaint to any of these agencies within 6 months of the alleged discriminatory act. You may also make a complaint by calling the National Fair Housing Hotline at 1-800-795-7195 (voice) or 927-9275 (TDD).

Michigan Department of Civil Rights
1200 Sixth Street
Detroit MI 48236
Phone: (313) 256-2570

The Detroit Area Office Department of Housing and Urban Development
477 Michigan Avenue Suite 1725
Patrick McNamara Building
Detroit MI 48226
Phone: 226-6898

In Dearborn Heights, the Community and Economic Development Department works to encourage these regulations. If you feel you have been discriminated against, you can submit a notarized complaint within 6 months of the alleged discriminatory act to:

City of Dearborn Heights CEDD

26155 Richardson

Dearborn Heights, MI, 48127

Attention: Director.

   The City's Community and Economic development director, Hassane Jamal, has met with local realtors and informed them of the Fair Housing Laws and their provisions. The department also keeps up-to-date information on any new activity and new legislation regarding fair housing through its membership in the Fair Housing Center.

http://www.fhcmichigan.org/