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...
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...
HUD is proposing rule changes that will make it more difficult to enforce the Fair Housing Act, putting immigrants, veterans, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic abuse, and more at risk. Click to take action + protect your rights!
nationalfairhousingalliance.salsalabs.org/HUDDisparate...
Chart reads: Number of bedrooms in unit, likely number of people that should be allowed to live in the unit. 1, 3. 2, 5. 3, 7. 4, 9. 5, 11.
A good rule of thumb is that generally two people should be allowed to reside in each bedroom. Restricting a bedroom to only one person may be illegal familial status discrimination. To report potential discrimination to the ERC, call 202-234-3062 or email info@equalrightscenter.org.
If you have children and are renting a home in DC, be on the lookout for this sneaky form of discrimination. An ERC investigation found that some landlords may be restricting the number of people who can live in a home below the city’s set occupancy standard. equalrightscenter.org/occupancy-fa...
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...
HUD is considering changes that would weaken enforcement of the #FairHousingAct of 1968—putting fair and affordable housing at risk. Don’t stay silent. Speak up now: https://bit.ly/3NR0Rop
It's not just an inconvenience when curb cuts and sidewalks are poorly shoveled. “Living in a city that you know has the resources, and still dealing with these issues, shows just how poorly cities are ready to deal with accessibility issues." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Proposed rule changes from HUD could undermine the Fair Housing Act of 1968 & make it harder to hold discrimination accountable. Housing should be fair & accessible for everyone. Take action today: https://bit.ly/3NR0Rop
If you suspect you’ve faced discrimination related to your service or assistance animal, contact the ERC by calling 202-234-3062 or emailing info@equalrightscenter.org.
For example, a blind person who uses a guide dog should not be required to verify their disability or their need for the dog, since both are obvious. In non-obvious cases, landlords can require third party verification, but should not require it be provided by a doctor.
If a landlord rejects a tenant because they have an assistance animal or requires excessive verification paperwork, that may be illegal. If a person's disability and need for a reasonable accommodation (like a service animal) are obvious, landlords should not require additional documentation.
Do you have a service or assistance animal and live in DC? Even in co-living spaces, people with disabilities have a right to live with their service or assistance animal. An ERC investigation found that a management company may be discriminating against renters with service and assistance animals.
Tell Congress to maintain essential funding for fair housing programs! The FY26 budget proposes eliminating the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, which funds nonprofits (like ERC!) that ensure people can access housing free of discrimination.
nationalfairhousingalliance.salsalabs.org/ActNowFY26fa...
Upcoming Performance Oversight Hearings are great opportunities to share feedback to DC Council about how city agencies and public programs are working. But first, hone your skills at @fairbudgetdc.bsky.social's testimony prep webinar, Monday 1/26 at 5 PM.
actionnetwork.org/events/power...
Today, the Maryland State Senate is holding a hearing to discuss a bill that would allow fair housing testers to record audio of tests they conduct, which could be used as evidence to help enforce anti-discrimination protections. ERC testified in support: equalrightscenter.org/wp-content/u...
Upcoming Performance Oversight Hearings are great opportunities to share feedback to DC Council about how city agencies and public programs are working. But first, hone your skills at @fairbudgetdc.bsky.social's testimony prep webinar, Tuesday 1/20 from 5:30-7:00 PM.
The ERC is deeply saddened to learn of Mathew McCollough's death. Mat was a tremendous advocate for people with disabilities and will be remembered for making DC and the nation more accessible. Our thoughts and condolences are with his friends and family. www.access-board.gov/news/2026/01...
From silencing and laying off HUD employees to terminating grants for housing nonprofits and legal advocacy groups, the Trump administration is "pulling every lever to make it impossible to enforce your rights under the Fair Housing Act.”
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
These accomplishments came amid intense attacks against this country's civil rights laws and institutions like the ERC that uphold them, but we've persevered and sustained our impact with your support. We know 2026 will bring more challenges, but we’re ready to face them with you by our side.
In 2025, the ERC conducted 777 civil rights tests to identify potential discrimination and opened 146 intakes with local residents alleging unfair treatment in housing. We sued housing providers and tech companies, and reached settlements requiring meaningful changes.
