Kristen J. Cuhran has been named the new Executive Director of the Ypsilanti-based Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC). Founded in 1992, the nonprofit organization investigates and resolves complaints of illegal housing discrimination.
Ms. Cuhran started her fair housing career in New Orleans with post-litigation investigations of race discrimination at Denny’s restaurants. After moving back to Michigan, she volunteered with the Fair Housing Center, then known as the Fair Housing Center of Washtenaw County.
In 2005, she was invited to coordinate a short-term testing project, and in 2006, she joined the organization as the Coordinator of Investigations. Her investigative strategy led to an $82,500 settlement in a lawsuit against Ivanhoe Apartments in Ann Arbor. The suit was litigated with the US Attorney’s office in Detroit. Because of her outstanding contributions to the FHC, she was promoted to Associate Director in 2011.
According to Board President Ann Routt, “Kristen has strong ties to our partners around the state and around the country. Additionally, as technology becomes more and more important for our investigations, outreach, and fundraising, Kristen has the skills to navigate the organization into the future.”
The founding Executive Director, Pam Kisch, is retiring after over 33 years in the position. “It is time to turn the organization over to a new generation of civil rights advocates. I am proud of the work we have done, and now I am happy to stand on the sidelines and cheer them on,” said Kisch.
Pictured below: (1) Kristen J. Cuhran and (2) Pam Kisch and Kristen J. Cuhran
Civil Rights for Victims of Housing Discrimination in Jeopardy
YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN—The Trump 2026 “skinny budget” will terminate all federal funds for nonprofit fair housing enforcement organizations nationwide, including the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC).
For over 30 years, grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have supported the FHC’s efforts to successfully investigate and resolve complaints of housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, familial status, and other illegal barriers to renting or owning a home.
Nationally, nonprofit fair housing centers like ours handle over 75% of all housing discrimination complaints lodged in this country each year; in Michigan, that number jumps to over 90%. (https://nationalfairhousing.org/resource/2024-fair-housing-trends-report/)
“This will be a big hit to our communities,” said Kristen Cuhran Fuller, Associate Director of the FHC. “Federal HUD funds make up 70% of our operating budget. We’ll inevitably have to cut some services, but we’ll do our best to minimize the impact on victims of housing discrimination.”
The FHC currently has over 400 open investigations, including allegations from:
• People with disabilities who need grab bars, roll-in showers, wheelchair ramps, or accessible parking
• Homeowners of color whose homes and communities are unfairly devalued by appraisers
• Survivors of domestic violence who are illegally evicted because of their abusers’ violent behavior
• People who rely on Social Security Disability income are fined for paying rent late because their benefits arrive after the 1st of each month
• Pregnant women who are denied home loans while on maternity leave because lenders view their future income as “unreliable”
• Families who are evicted after the birth of a child
“This proposed budget has the potential to undo the hard-fought-for civil rights laws passed in the 1960s,” said Cuhran Fuller. “The Fair Housing Act is still the law, but it’s meaningless without enforcement. These funding cuts will devastate equal housing opportunities now and for future generations.”
“Our organization is a community-based, cost-effective, and widely relied-upon resource to enforce this essential law,” said Ann Routt, a Michigan attorney who is President of the FHC of Southeast & Mid Michigan Board of Directors.
It is unclear if the federal government will continue to carry out its obligation, mandated by Congress, to prevent housing discrimination. “What is crystal clear,” said Routt, “is that HUD, facing its own budget cuts, can’t possibly take on an additional 25,000 complaints nationwide that are now handled by Fair Housing Centers like ours.”
The FHC is now calling on community partners, local governments, and private supporters to help fill the gap and ensure that the fight for fair housing continues. Additionally, residents can contact their elected officials and ask that they reject the proposed FHIP budget cuts in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. The FHC has some talking points available on their website: https://fhcmichigan.org/blog/
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The Fair Housing Center of Southeast and Mid Michigan, founded in 1992, actively protects the civil rights of those who are discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC has a 10-county service area with a population of 1.5 million – Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw counties.
The 11th Annual Fair Housing Breakfast will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Weber’s Hotel in Ann Arbor, with keynote speaker Cashauna Hill, a prominent civil rights advocate and housing justice leader. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and brings together community leaders, housing providers, Realtors, lenders, attorneys, and policymakers to discuss ongoing challenges and advancements in fair housing. Real Estate professionals can earn one CE Fair Housing credit for this class.
Hill is the Executive Director of the Redress Movement, a group that works to identify, promote, and secure remedies that address the harmful impact of discriminatory housing policies and practices through grassroots community organizing.
With a wealth of experience in civil rights litigation and advocacy, Ms. Hill’s talk will explore the intersections of housing, race, and equity, focusing on how communities can organize for a more just and inclusive housing landscape. She previously served as director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center and has testified before the United States Congress as a fair housing expert.
This annual event, hosted by the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, highlights the importance of fair housing laws and their impact on building inclusive communities. Attendees will gain insights into current issues, discrimination, and the future of fair housing policy. Proceeds will support ongoing efforts to promote and enforce fair housing rights in the region.
“We are thrilled to welcome Cashauna Hill as our speaker this year,” said Pam Kisch, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan. “Her lived experience, work as a civil rights attorney, and innovative approaches to change make her a champion in the fight for fair housing.”
**Event Details:**
October 10, 2024
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Weber’s Hotel, Ann Arbor, MI, and live-streamed virtually
Tickets and further information: www.fhcmichigan.org/fhbreakfast
Real Estate professionals can earn one Fair Housing CE credit for this class. To receive the credit, you will need to sign in with your real estate license number at the event.
The Fair Housing Center thanks its partners for this event, especially our Silver Sponsors Fifth Third Bank, Old National Bank, and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development.
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The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, founded in 1992, actively protects the civil rights of those discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC takes over 200 complaints yearly from its 10-county service area: Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw counties.
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
In celebration of Fair Housing Month, the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC) announces the launch of its Fair Housing Month membership drive. This campaign, which aims to foster community involvement and raise awareness about the importance of the Fair Housing Act, aligns with the FHC’s mission to end housing discrimination and promote equal housing opportunities for all.
Throughout April, the Fair Housing Center invites individuals, advocates, and community leaders to unite to advance equal housing opportunities by assisting in their efforts to enforce fair housing laws. Through the peer-to-peer membership drive, participants become ambassadors for fair housing by creating fundraising pages and rallying support from their networks, raising awareness of the Act and the funds necessary to carry out the work.
Jessica Ortiz Farley, Director of Investigations at the Fair Housing Center, explains how you can help: “You can make a difference by becoming a Fair Housing Fundraiser and sharing your commitment to civil rights with friends, family, and colleagues. Additionally, you can support our mission by becoming an FHC Member with a donation of $35 or more. We also encourage everyone to attend our upcoming Fair Housing Mixer, where we’ll celebrate our collective support of fair housing.”
The Mark David Mitshkun Memorial Fund has generously pledged to match the first $5,000 donated to the campaign. This matching grant doubles the impact of each contribution, enabling donors to maximize their support for fair housing initiatives in Southeast and Mid Michigan. Mark served on the FHC Board for 20 years and was a champion of Fair Housing. He passed away in 2020.
Fair housing is a fundamental right that ensures everyone has the opportunity to live in a community free from discrimination. By participating in the Membership Drive and taking advantage of the donation match, community members can play a direct role in advancing this essential cause.
The Fair Housing Mixer, sponsored by Reinhart Realtors, will be held on May 9th from 5 to 7 PM at the Ypsilanti Cocktail Club. We will award prizes to fundraisers and teams. All are welcome to join us for food, networking, a 50/50 raffle, spring cocktails, and mocktails. RSVP at https://donate.fhcmichigan.org/Mixer
For more information about the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, Fair Housing Month events, or the peer-to-peer membership drive, please visit https://donate.fhcmichigan.org/campaign/membership-drive/c510577
April 2024 marks the 56th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This landmark civil rights law, signed in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, made discrimination in housing transactions unlawful. This essential piece of civil rights legislation is the backbone of the work of the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan.
The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC) is a private nonprofit fair housing center. Founded in 1992, the FHC actively protects the civil rights of those discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC receives an average of 200 complaints yearly from its 10-county service area: Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw.
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A copy of the filed complaint is available upon request.
Daniel Black, a man with dwarfism, has settled his lawsuit after a five-year struggle against Capitol Commons Apartments and First Housing Corporation in Lansing, Michigan.
Black requested that his federally subsidized apartment be outfitted with a roll-in shower to accommodate his disability. He asked management at Capitol Commons to replace the bathtub that was increasingly dangerous for him to use. He also requested that the building install an accessible electric entrance door so that he, other seniors, and people with disabilities could freely come and go without assistance from their accessible apartments.
With no progress on his request, Mr. Black contacted the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC). During the summer of 2022, FHC staff wrote letters, spoke with representatives, including their attorney, met with Capitol Commons staff, and brought in the local housing inspector in an effort to resolve the complaint with Capitol Commons and management company First Housing. “Each time we made a request on behalf of Daniel Black, the landlord and corporate management had another reason for denying and delaying the accommodation,” said Niki Green, FHC Coordinator of Investigations and Legal Research.
According to Black, “I was tired of contorting myself to get over the side of the bathtub. It was dangerous, especially since I had already endured four back surgeries to relieve spinal pain. I have extensive metal hardware in my spine that severely limits my mobility. I wasn’t seeking anything unreasonable. I needed a reasonable modification to my ground-floor accessible apartment. I wanted what everyone else had, access to their bathing and showering facilities.”
Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, it is unlawful to refuse to permit a reasonable modification of a dwelling occupied by a person with a disability if that modification “may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises. . . .”
FHC Cooperating Attorney Robin Wagner of Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, Bonanni & Rivers spent a few more weeks attempting to resolve the complaint without litigation. She filed the lawsuit on December 2, 2022, in U.S. Federal District Court in the Western District of Michigan. The case was assigned to the Honorable Robert J. Jonker.
According to the suit, “Defendants threatened Mr. Black with eviction in order to intimidate him because he sought to exercise his rights to have modifications made to his bath/shower and to the front door of his apartment building.”
Eventually, Capitol Commons installed the shower and an electric entrance door to the building. The lawsuit settled for an undisclosed amount.
The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, founded in 1992, actively protects the civil rights of those who are discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC takes an average of 250 complaints each year from its 10-county service area – Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw.
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
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Mark Mithskun Board of Directors Award Honoree Named
The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan is pleased to announce that the 10th Annual Fair Housing Breakfast will take place on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Weber’s Boutique Hotel in Ann Arbor and virtually. This highly anticipated event serves as a platform to raise awareness about fair housing law and celebrates the individuals and organizations dedicated to ensuring equal housing opportunities.
A highlight of this year’s event is our esteemed guest speaker, John P. Relman, a leading figure in fair housing law and litigation. A renowned civil rights attorney, John is the founder of Relman Colfax PLLC, a national firm recognized for its cutting-edge use of the Fair Housing Act to combat systemic discrimination and segregation. His more than 30 years of experience and deep understanding of fair housing issues make him an expert in housing equity.
“The Fair Housing Center is thrilled to be hosting our 10th Annual Fair Housing Breakfast and to welcome back John as our guest speaker,” said Pam Kisch, Director of the Fair Housing Center. “This event brings the latest cases and trends to the attention of the housing community. We are honored to bring together a diverse group of individuals who are eager to do the right thing.”
Each year we honor one person for outstanding work that furthers the mission of the Fair Housing Center. We are pleased to announce the recipient of the FHC Mark Mitshkun Board of Directors Award, Courtney Atsalakis. Ms. Atsalakis founded the Amber Reineck House – a home for women with substance use issues in Howell, Michigan, named for her sister who died of a fentanyl overdose. When the City of Howell tried to stop her from opening the house, Ms. Atsalakis was tireless in her commitment to working with the Fair Housing Center and Cooperating Attorneys at Relman & Colfax (Lila Miller, Glenn Schlactus, Sara Pratt, and Nick Abbott, with paralegal assistance from Charlotte Saltzman), Dane Law, LLC (Stephen Dane), and Pitt McGhee Palmer Bonanni & Rivers PC (Robin Wagner).
It took four years but the City changed its policies and the lawsuit, Amber Reineck House v City of Howell settled earlier this year for $750,000. The Board of Directors award is named after Mark Mitshkun who served on the FHC Board of Directors for over 20 years and sadly lost his life to cancer.
The Fair Housing Breakfast has become a cornerstone event for housing advocates, community leaders, lenders, Realtors, rental housing agents, and government officials in the region. With its 10th edition, the event promises to bring together a broad range of those committed to staying up-to-date on best practices in fair housing.
The Breakfast will feature the presentation of the Directors Award, Mr. Relman’s keynote address, a breakfast buffet, and networking opportunities.
Funds raised from the Fair Housing Breakfast go directly to ending housing discrimination and expanding housing opportunities, making our communities more open, accessible, and inclusive.
Tickets for the 10th Annual Fair Housing Breakfast are available now. For more information about the event, or the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, please visit www.fhcmichigan.org/fhbreakfast.
We are grateful for our many partners in this event. Thank you especially to our Silver Sponsors: Community Financial Credit Union, McKinley Companies, Old National Bank, and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development.
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The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, founded in 1992, actively protects the civil rights of those who are discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC takes over 200 complaints each year from its 10-county service area – Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw counties.
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
In case you missed it, the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC) aided in the settlement of a $750,000 lawsuit against the City of Howell.
When the FHC read about the City of Howell’s treatment of the Amber Reineck House we contacted founder Courtney Atsalakis offering our help. We started by writing a letter to the City asking them to lift the moratorium and to grant Amber Reineck House a reasonable accommodation so they could open a house for women recovering from substance use disorders. The letter was accompanied by a memo from Relman, Dane & Colfax (now Relman Colfax) outlining over a dozen settled cases that refuted the City’s arguments. People in recovery are considered disabled under the Federal Fair Housing Act. When the City still refused to lift the moratorium, Ms. Atsalakis decided to file a lawsuit and the FHC Board voted to join the litigation.
Please see the Relman Colfax Press Release below for more details.
A copy of the filed complaint, Amber Reineck House v City of Howell, Filed 1/27/20, can be sent upon request.
Image of 304 Walnut Street
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The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, founded in 1992, actively protects the civil rights of those who are discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC takes an average of 250 complaints each year from its ten-county service area – Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw.
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
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MICHIGAN CITY TO PAY $750K FOR BLOCKING OPENING OF WOMEN’S SOBER LIVING HOME, AS OPIOID CRISIS RAGES
Federal Housing Discrimination Settlement Obtained by Recovery House,
Named for Woman Who Died of Fentanyl Overdose
Howell, MI– A women’s sober living house in Howell, Michigan, named for a woman who died of a fentanyl overdose, is among the recipients of a $750,000 settlement against the city that blocked it from opening for years. The housing discrimination settlement on behalf of Amber Reineck House, its founder, and a local fair housing agency is one of the largest obtained in this region and sends a signal to local governments who have sought to prevent these types of homes from operating in residential neighborhoods.
“This settlement is a victory not just for the Amber Reineck House, but for Michigan women who struggle with substance use disorder. Because of homes like ours, people have a safe, sober place to focus on their recovery without distractions. Nearly 25 women have been served since our doors opened in 2021. People who suffer from substance use disorder aren’t criminals, and they shouldn’t be discriminated against and treated as though they are. We’re glad that the lawsuit has been resolved so that we can focus on our mission: serving the community in Howell and greater Livingston County,” said Courtney Atsalakis, who launched The Amber Reineck House following her sister Amber’s overdose-related death on Christmas Eve 2015.
The Amber Reineck House was launched to provide sober living for women in recovery in the Livingston County region, where no resource of that kind existed. But neighbors opposed the home, and the City of Howell imposed a moratorium—an outright ban—on new sober living and other group homes, for a period of 20 months, until March 2020. After the ban was lifted, ARH was able to open at a different location, where it has become an integral part of the community.
Amber Reineck House vs. City of Howell alleged that this type of differential treatment of housing for people with disabilities is plainly prohibited by federal and state antidiscrimination laws, and that the City was intentionally discriminating by giving force to opposition from neighbors.
“Unfortunately, discrimination against people in group homes, particularly those struggling with substance use disorder or with other disabilities, is painfully common,” said Pam Kisch, of the Fair Housing Center for Southeast & Mid Michigan, who joined the case as a plaintiff after working with ARH during the moratorium to provide counseling and educate municipal employees in the region about legal protections for people with disabilities.
Earlier this year, the Village of Hinsdale, Illinois agreed to pay $800,000 for housing discrimination against a sober living facility in its neighborhood, in a similar case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“This victory sends a clear message that municipal discrimination against people in recovery will have consequences,” said Lila Miller. “And after 3.5 years of litigation and the case poised for trial, those consequences are clear: Howell will pay three-quarters of a million dollars to resolve the claims against it.”
The case was filed in Detroit, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (case number 5:20-cv-10203) by Relman Colfax, PLLC; Dane Law, LLC; and Pitt McGehee Palmer Bonani & Rivers.
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded $54 million to 182 fair housing organizations across the country under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program. The grants (announced during April which is Fair Housing Month) will support the efforts of national, state, and local fair housing groups working to address violations of the Federal Fair Housing Act in an effort to end discrimination in housing.
For Michigan, a total of $2,600,000 was awarded, with $550,000 granted to the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan.*
The grants allow organizations to conduct covert investigations to identify discrimination in the housing market, often in response to specific complaints of suspected housing bias. In addition, grantees carry out education and outreach activities to inform the public about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.
“Far too many families in our country still face unconscionable prejudice, both as renters and homeowners,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “The Fair Housing Initiatives Program puts money into communities to help them root out discrimination in housing. I am pleased to provide our state and local partners with the resources they need to combat inequity and build a fairer, more inclusive country for all.”
“Access to safe housing is a basic human right, but unfortunately too many renters and homeowners still face discrimination when looking for a place to live,” states Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan’s 6th District. “I am proud to help provide this funding to support The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, and am thankful for the work they do every day to help families find and maintain a home, and make our communities more equitable and inclusive.”
The grants received from HUD are essential to the enforcement and education programs at the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, however, the organization also relies on individual donations to maintain operations.
“Funding from HUD has been instrumental in our 30-year mission to end housing discrimination. As we mark the 55th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act this April we are reminded how far we have come and how much work lies ahead,” said Pamela Kisch, the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan’s Executive Director. “Civil rights advocates past and present fought and continue the fight to uphold and expand fair housing rights. This month the Fair Housing Center is taking donations in honor of those in our community and in our history who have been essential to our efforts to end housing discrimination. I am honoring my mentors Clifford Schrupp and Marvin Thomas, along with John Lewis.”
If you would like to assist the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan in the fight against housing discrimination, click here to make a donation in honor of a civil rights hero this Fair Housing Month or visit fhcmichigan.org/fairhousingmonth/ to see which civil rights heroes have been nominated.
* HUD awarded grants to the Fair Housing Center in the following categories and amounts:
$425,000 allocated to third-year Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) – This initiative funds non-profit fair housing organizations to carry out testing and enforcement activities to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices. This award will allow grantees to continue fair housing investigations, testing, and other fair housing enforcement activities.
$125,000 allocated to a new Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) – This program offers support for fair housing activities that educate the public and housing providers about equal opportunity in housing and compliance with the fair housing laws.
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The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, founded in 1992, actively protects the civil rights of those who are discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC takes over 200 complaints each year from its 10-county service area – Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw counties.
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
Ypsilanti, MI–
The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC) will host its 9th Annual Fair Housing Breakfast on the morning of October 27th, at Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor, and virtually. Bryan Greene, Vice President of Policy Advocacy at the National Association of REALTORS®, will be the guest speaker. Before joining NAR, Mr. Greene served for ten years in HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).
Local, regional, and national organizations and businesses are sponsoring the 2022 event. Funds raised go directly toward ending housing discrimination and expanding equal housing opportunities. The Gold Sponsors are McKinley Companies LLC, Old National Bank, and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development. Silver Sponsors are the Bank of Ann Arbor, Michigan Realtors®, University Bank, and Zillow.
Attendees typically include housing professionals, advocates, educators, government officials, students, and community members across the FHC’s 10-county service area. All are welcome.
FHC Associate Director Kristen Cuhran Fuller states: “Achieving fair housing is a complex task; we can’t do it alone. We believe that all of us – from real estate agents, landlords, funders, and lenders, to community members and neighbors – can play a role. We are thankful for the support and collaboration from all of our generous sponsors. Our fundraising goal is $50,000 and we hope the public will help us surpass this amount and commit to furthering diversity, fair lending, and equal housing opportunity in their communities.”
9th Annual Fair Housing Breakfast
Thursday, Oct 27, 2022
8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Weber’s Inn, 3050 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor
Donation to Attend:
Tickets range from $35-$75. For more details, to purchase or donate, visit https://donate.fhcmichigan.org/event/9th-annual-fair-housing-breakfast/e419531
The space is wheelchair accessible and interpretation services are available. At this time the FHC will require all attendees to be vaccinated, with masks encouraged, and will reevaluate health and safety measures closer to the event date.
Founded in 1992, the Fair Housing Center actively protects the civil rights of those who are discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. Based in Ypsilanti with a satellite office in Lansing, the FHC takes an average of 180 complaints each year from its 10-county service area – Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw counties. Its mission is to end discrimination in housing and public accommodations and to promote accessible, integrated communities. The Breakfast is the FHC’s primary fundraising event. www.fhcmichigan.org
This event is made possible thanks to the generosity of its Sponsors.
Gold:
Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development
Silver:
Bank of Ann Arbor
Michigan Realtors
University Bank
Zillow
Bronze:
Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS
Beal Properties
Charles Reinhart Company
Fifth Third Bank
Flagstar Bank
Independent Bank
Lombardo Homes
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
PNC Bank
Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
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CORUNNA – The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC) announces the settlement of its first lawsuit in Shiawassee County.
A Corunna resident with a mobility impairment contacted the FHC after her landlord at Cavalier Greene Apartments refused to provide her with a designated accessible parking space near the entrance to her apartment. While the case began as a simple request for reasonable accommodation for her physical disability, it went on to include months of stalling on the part of the management company, Woda Cooper, and threats of retaliation from the manager.
According to the lawsuit, filed in Federal Court by FHC Cooperating Attorney Daniel Gwinn, Lalonde told our complainant that they might not renew her lease or that they might have to move her, though no units were available in the 18-unit apartment complex. It is illegal to retaliate against an individual for exercising their fair housing rights.
This was the first FHC lawsuit in Shiawassee County. It was assigned to the Honorable Stephanie Dawkins Davis. Our complainant accepted a monetary settlement and was given her reserved accessible parking space and sign.
“We formally added Shiawassee County to our service area in 2021,” said FHC Director of Investigations Jessica Ortiz Farley, “and we hope stories like this will help get the word out to residents of Corunna, Durand, Laingsburg, Owosso, Perry, and the rest of the county that they can turn to the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan if they suspect they’ve been discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing.”
Cooperating Attorney Daniel Gwinn added that his law firm “stands ready to litigate violations of the Fair Housing Act to ensure Michigan citizens receive the full benefit of their federally protected rights to equal opportunity in housing.”
The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, founded in 1992, actively protects the civil rights of those who are discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC takes an average of 180 complaints each year from its 10-county service area – Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw counties.
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
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