Fair Housing

What is Fair Housing?

Fair housing is a condition in which individuals of similar income levels in the same housing market have a similar range of choices available to them regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, source of income, sexual orientation or any other arbitrary factor.

Who is protected?

Federal and state fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, lease, or negotiation for real property based on protected status. Under federal law protected status includes race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability. California fair housing laws reflect the federal laws and add marital status, ancestry, source of income, sexual orientation, and any arbitrary discrimination as the protected categories under the laws.

What do I do if I think I have a Fair Housing problem? 

The City maintains a formal contract with  ECHO Housing to assist residents with fair housing complaints. As the primary fair housing assistance provider in Monterey County, ECHO provides a variety of consultation services through its hotline service and consultations. 

The following is a list of other fair housing legal assistance available to Salinas residents:

ECHO Housing

Monterey College of Law and Mandell-Gisnet Center for Conflict Management