Fair Housing Protection

The City of Hanford is dedicated to protecting the rights of renters and landlords and promoting fair housing choice. We want everyone to know that discrimination in housing is illegal and provide you with the resources you need to resolve issues. The City of Hanford  collaborates with Community Services and Employment Training, Inc. (CSET), a nonprofit organization, to provide the public with information about fair housing.
 
 For More information, please contact CSET at (559) 732-4194 or email: info@cset.org.
 
If you need more information about tenant legal support, housing, or other community resource, please call 2-1-1 visit their website: 2-1-1 Kings County

Fair Housing Laws

The Fair Housing Act of 1988 was adopted to safeguard against illegal housing discrimination. The Law protects a person's right to own, sell, purchase, or rent housing of his or her choice without fear of unlawful discrimination.

Discrimination in housing rental, sales and financing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, source of income, disability or familial status is prohibited by Federal Fair Housing Act and state law Housing Discrimination.


Please visit http://www.hud.gov/states/california/homeownership/fair-housing for more information.

Americans with Disability Act

Title VI & Section 504 Policy and Grievance Procedure

In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil rights Act of 1964, the City of Hanford will not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, or national origin in the provision of its services, activities and programs.

In accordance with the requirements of Section 504, the City of Hanford will not discriminate against any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment, in the provision of its services, activities, and programs.
 
Contact Information:  

Hanford City Hall
Attn: Shauna Biagio, 504 Coordinator
319 North Douty Street
Hanford, CA  93230
Email Shauna
Phone: (559) 537-7993 
TTY: (800) 855-7200

For specific departments, please go to:

https://www.ci.hanford.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/2085/English-Grievance-Procedures-PDF?bidId=

What is Fair Housing?

Fair Housing means that you have the right to live where you choose without fear of discrimination based on your personal characteristics. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination based on the following characteristics: discrimination based on the following characteristics: Race, Color, Religion, Gender, National Origin, Familial Status (Families with children under 18 years old),Physical and/or Mental Disability, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Ancestry, Age, Source of Income, Gender Identity and Gender Expression, Genetic Information or Other Arbitrary Basis.

Common Forms of Housing Discrimination

  • Refusing to rent or sell housing to someone because of their race.
  • Prohibiting children from being outside in common areas or enforcing a curfew that only pertains to children
  • Refusing to do timely repairs for tenants of a particular nationality or religion
  • Using advertisements that express or suggest a rental preference for example, "ideal for single working professionals" or "Jewish only."
  • Harassing a tenant on the basis of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Refusing to rent a second-floor apartment to a family with children.
  • Refusing to allow a tenant with disabilities to have a service animals in his or her unit.

Reporting Housing Discrimination

Anyone who feels he, she, or they have been discriminated against may file a complaint of housing discrimination:

1-800-669-9777 (Toll Free)
1-800-9275 (TTY)
Brochure in English and Spanish
Submit a Claim www.hud.gov/fairhousing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Washington, D.C. 20410

Additional Fair Housing Information

  • Central California Legal Services (CCLS):CCLS is a private, non-profit, public interest law firm established for the purpose of providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals, families, organizations and communities. They can provide legal help with Housing, Health, Guardianship, Family Violence, Utilities, Seniors, Employment, and Benefits, Legal Advice and Referral Lines. Please call 1(800)675-8001 or visit https://centrallegal.org/ for locations and hour of operation.
  • Fair Housing Council of Central California: The Fair Housing Council of Central California is a professional, non-profit, civil rights organization dedicated to the elimination of discrimination in housing and the expansion of housing opportunities for all people.
  • Department of Fair Employment and Housing - State of California: The Civil Rights Department is the state agency charged with enforcing California's civil rights laws. The mission of the CRD is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, businesses, and state-funded programs, and from bias-motivated violence and human trafficking.

Housing Support Services & Resources

  • City of Hanford Housing Programs: The City has some programs to help low-income families buy their first home, rehab their existing home, connect to public utilities or build an ADA exterior ramp for elderly or disabled. Click on this link to take you to the Housing Programs page for more information.
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD is the Federal agency that provides housing support and uplifts communities.
  • California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA): Investing in diverse communities with financing programs that help more Californians have a place to call home.
  • California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC): The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC) administers the federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs. Both programs were created to promote private investment in affordable rental housing for low-income Californians.
  • Fannie Mae Foundation Homeowners and Renters: Fannie Mae works with lenders and mortgage providers to ensure access to housing finance opportunities at all times and in all markets. Their work furthers their ability to offer affordable mortgage loans to homebuyers and homeowners, such as the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, while promoting access to safe, quality housing for renters.
  • U.S. Census Bureau: The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.
  • HUD Foreclosure/Housing Counseling: Housing counseling agencies offer guidance on homebuying, renting, reverse mortgages and default and foreclosure prevention.
  • California Association of Realtors: Serves its membership in developing and promoting programs and services that will enhance the members' freedom and ability to conduct their individual businesses successfully with integrity and competency, and through collective action, to promote the preservation of real property rights.
  • Community Services and Employment Training (CSET): Safe and affordable housing is essential to building healthy families and communities. CSET housing services provide residents with the support they need to prosper and reach self-sufficiency while living in a space of their own. CSET provides services such as Foreclosure Counseling, First Time Home Buyer Education, as well as Energy Assistance, Home Weatherization, Continuum of Care and Water Bill Assistance, in addition to Fair Housing Information.
  • Housing Authority of the County of Kings : provides rental assistance to very low and moderate-income families, seniors and the handicapped throughout the county. They offer many different programs, including the conventional public housing program, the housing choice voucher program, the farm labor program for families with farm labor income, senior housing programs, and other housing programs. All Housing Authority of the County of Kings staff members shall adhere to their policy, which is to: Obey all applicable federal, state and local fair housing laws; refrain from discrimination regarding any application for housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, source of income, marital or familial status, national origin, or physical or mental disability (applicants must have capacity to execute a legal contract); and affirmatively promote fair housing. 

California Renter Rights

  • State of California renter rights website: As a tenant, knowing your rights is critical. Under California law, you are protected from certain rent increases and may be protected from certain types of evictions.
  • California Tenants Handbook: What should a tenant do if his or her apartment needs repairs? Can a landlord force a tenant to move? How many days' notices does a tenant have to give a landlord before moving out? Can a landlord raise a tenant’s rent? California Tenants –A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities answers these questions and many others. Click here to download a printable copy of the guide En Español

Homeless Resources & Information

  • Kings County Homeless Collaborative The purpose of the Kings County Task Force on Homelessness is to advise and assist the Kings  County Health & Human Services Agency in the Agency's efforts to address homelessness issues affecting the community and to report to the Kings  County Board of Supervisors on a periodic basis.
  • Kings/Kings Continuum of Care on Homelessness (DBA: Kings/Kings Homeless Alliance):The Kings Homeless Alliance is committed to acknowledging and honoring the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Disclaimer:

This site and any information presented here are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The City of Hanford is not responsible for any third-party content that may be accessed through this site.