EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING
without regard to
RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN,
ANCESTRY, RELIGION, SEX,
DISABILITY, OR FAMILIAL STATUS
WATCH THE KANSAS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION'S FAIR HOUSING PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS (in wmv format)
WHAT IS FAIR HOUSING?
Equal opportunity for families or individuals to reside in, to buy, or to rent housing of their choice, in the neighborhood of their choice, and for which they financially qualify. Every individual within the state has the right to fair housing without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, or familial status.
FAMILIAL STATUS DEFINED:
Familial status refers to households with one or more children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, those securing custody of anyone under the age of 18, and pregnant women.
DISABILITY DEFINED:UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED
* The Kansas Act Against Discrimination is substantially equivalent to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1988, as amended.
WHO MAY FILE A COMPLAINT ?
Any person who claims to have been injured; or any person who believes that he or she will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur may file a complaint with the KHRC. Both the Seller/landlord and the purchasing/renting family are aggrieved and can file a complaint when a third party, such as an Owner's association, acts unlawfully to prevent the sale or rental of a unit to a family with children.
A complaint may be filed personally or by attorney. An individual may write, telephone, e-mail, or come to any KHRC office to begin the filing process. Intake staff can assist in drafting a complaint based on information provided by the complainant. The complaint must be signed and notarized before it can be officially filed with the Commission. There is no filing fee.
Complaints on any basis in the area of housing must be filed within one year from the last alleged discriminatory act.
WHAT HOUSING IS EXEMPT?
Owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units; Some single family housing if it is sold or rented without the use of discriminatory advertising or a real estate broker, agent or salesman; Housing operated by a private club, not in fact open to the public, which provides lodgings which it owns for other than a commercial purpose, from limiting the rental or occupancy of such lodgings to its members or from giving preference to its members. Housing for older persons that meets the criteria established in the Act is exempt from the prohibitions of discrimination on the basis of familial status.