EQUAL

OPPORTUNITY

HOUSING

FOR

GALLIA

COUNTY'S

SENIOR

CITIZENS

 FAIR HOUSING.....

IT'S THE LAW!!!

 GALLIA COUNTY

FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM

GALLIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE

GALLIPOLIS, OHIO  45631

TELEPHONE:  740-446-4612 EXT. 232

Dear Citizens: 

          The Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and all subsequent provisions of the Act as amended and its corresponding administrative rules are based on the premise that obtaining fair housing must be a choice free of practices or influences that would limit that choice because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or handicap.

          The Ohio Fair Housing Law adds discrimination based upon age to the list of prohibited practices.

          The Gallia County Fair Housing Program is dedicated to helping our seniors better understand their rights under this law.  We hope this pamphlet will aid towards that end.

          None of the information in this brochure constitutes legal advice.  If you are in doubt regarding your legal rights, we recommend you seek legal assistance. 

Gallia County Fair Housing Program

Gallia County Commissioners 

THE FAIR HOUSING ACT PROHIBITS: 

Discrimination in housing because of

•     RACE OR COLOR

•     NATIONAL ORIGIN

•     RELIGION

•     SEX

•     FAMILIAL STATUS (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18)

•     HANDICAP

•     AGE 

WHAT IS PROHIBITED? 

IN THE SALE AND RENTAL OF HOUSING:  No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, handicap or age:

•     Refuse to rent or sell housing

•     Refuse to negotiate for housing

•     Make housing unavailable

•     Deny a dwelling

•     Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling

•     Provide different housing services or facilities

•     Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental

•     For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or

•     Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing. 

ADDITIONAL PROTECTION IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY: 

If you or someone associated with you:

•     Have a physical or mental disability (including hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, chronic mental illness, AIDS, AIDS related Complex and mental retardation) that substantially limits one or more major life activities

•     Have a record of such a disability or

•     Are regarded as having such a disability 

Your landlord may not:

•     Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas, at your expense, if necessary for the handicapped person to use the housing.  (Where reasonable, the landlord may permit changes only if you agree to restore the property to its original condition when you move.)

•     Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services if necessary for the handicapped person to use the housing. 

Example:  A building with a "no pets" policy must allow a visually impaired tenant to keep a guide dog. 

Example:  An apartment complex that offers tenants ample, unassigned parking must honor a request from a mobility-impaired tenant for a reserved space near her apartment if necessary to assure that she can have access to her apartment.

PHONE NUMBERS THAT MAY ASSIST YOU: 

Senior Citizens Center.......................446-7000 

Courthouse.......................................446-4612 

Sheriff..............................................446-1221 

City Police........................................446-1313 

EMS.................................................446-3126 

County Health Dept..........................446-4612 EXT. 291 

Gallipolis Health Dept., Sanitation & Zoning Office...............................................441-6020 

Legal Aid - available every other Tuesday in the Gallia County Courthouse - second floor meeting room - provided by: 

Southeastern Ohio Legal Services

490 Richland Avenue

Athens, Ohio  45701

Phone: (740) 594-3558 Local

              1-800-686-3669 Toll Free 

NOTE:  None of the information in this brochure is legal advice.  For legal advice, contact an attorney.