Fair Housing

Housing Discrimination

The struggle against discrimination in housing (called “Fair Housing”) had been Center for Social Advocacy’s concern for 38 years. The term “Fair Housing” denotes a legal framework that is an important part of our fair housing civil rights history.

Fair housing exists in a community when individuals of similar income have the same renage or housing choices regardless of race or color, ancestry or national origin, religion, gender, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, or source of income.

Discrimination in housing remains a continual problem for African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and immigrants; gay and lesbian couples; single mothers with children; and the disabled (among others).

Sometimes tenants and landlords have serious conflicts that do not arise from discrimination but must be addressed never-the-less. Sometimes roommates or neighbors have conflicts that can lead to violence or other serious problems. Call our office if you are having a problem with your landlord, tenant, roommate, or neighbor.

Fair Housing Services

The Center for Social Advocacy (CSA) was incorporated in 1969 as a private non-profit organization by members of regions who were concerned about social injustices and inequities. CSA services have grown over the years and now include:

COUNSELING
Includes the provision of information concerning housing laws at state and federal levels. Investigate and facilitate resolutions of disputes between tenants and landlords. Provide information on housing programs and make referrals to appropriate resources.

DISCRIMINATION MONITORING
Investigation of claims regarding fair housing law violations. Conduct periodic tests of real estate and rental properties to evaluate compliance with fair housing laws. Promotion of equal housing opportunities through presentations of community seminars, workshops, lectures and public forums.

MEDIATION
Mediation of issues between tenants and landlords related to fair housig, California Civil Codes and regional city codes. Recommend creative out of court solutions to resolve disputes.

EDUCATION/OUTREACH
Training through workshops and seminars for tenants, property owners and managers. Free seminars to advance the awareness of tenant/landlord responsibilities. Distribution of free informational materials to selected community locations served by CSA.

Struggle for Housing Rights

What is Fair Housing?

Decent, available, affordable housing that is free of violence and discrimination is essential for basic, common human activities including health and safety, food storage and preparation, personal hygiene, childrearing, and caring for the very elderly and the disabled.

Housing exists in the context of complex social forces that includes, in the U.S., individualism, capitalism, and private property law on the one hand and communal values of mutual support and well-being on the other. Racism, sexism, homophobia and other prejudices continue to be powerful social forces that contribute to discrimination as well.

Communities We Serve

Incorporated cities and the County of San Diego have given contracts to fair housing agencies to provide fair housing services. Center for Social Advocacy has contracts to serve the following communties:

Fair Housing: Know Your Rights

You Are Protected Under California Law!

For nearly 40 years, the Center for Social Advocacy has dedicated its resources to the struggle against discrimination in housing. “Fair Housing” is a legal framework that is an important part of our civil rights history.

Fair housing exists in a community when individuals of similar income have the same range of housing choices. Discrimination occurs when a housing provider refuses to rent or sell a home, offers unequal terms to different people, quotes different prices, or applies different policies based on race or color, ancestry or national origin, religion, gender, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, source of income, or any other arbitrary status.