Fair Housing Division

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Questions regarding discrimination complaints or the investigation process should be made directly to the Department of Community Affairs Fair Housing Division (813) 274-5835, located at102 E. 7th Avenue - Tampa, Florida 33602. Communication to/from governmental offices are considered public record.

Every citizen has the right to equal access to all neighborhoods of their choice for decent and affordable housing.

In keeping with the laws of the United States and the State of Florida, on November 18, 1984, the City adopted its Human Rights Ordinance which, after its latest amendments, also protects citizens against discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, familial status or marital status.

These laws protect everyone. They are a haven for those who have been discriminated against. They also serve to inform those who deal in housing, such as realtors, bankers, apartment managers, etc. and for those who witness discrimination - it is your civic duty to report instances of discriminatory treatment or attempts to steer or promote panic selling.

What is Housing Discrimination?

If you are restricted from living where you choose due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, familial status or marital status.

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you need to file a complaint. The Office of Human Rights is in place to assist those persons who seek housing within the Tampa city limits in filing the charge, at no cost, and to enforce the laws against discrimination.

Every citizen has the right to equal access to all neighborhoods of their choice for decent and affordable housing. It is illegal to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, familial status or marital status:

In the sale or rental of housing or residential lots.
In advertising the sale or rental of housing.
In the financing of housing.
In the provision of real estate brokerage services.

The foundation for your housing rights was laid by the United States Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Title VIII), the City of Tampa's Fair Housing Ordinance of 1976 and Human Rights Ordinance of 1984 (No. 8718-A), and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.

SYMPTOMS:

You will know you have been discriminated against if:

An apartment manager or owner refuses to rent to you.
You were told a house or an apartment wasn't available when it really was.
You were offered different terms or conditions of sale or rental than someone else.
A lending company refuses to give you a mortgage to purchase a home, although you qualify.
You were steered to or away from a neighborhood which is primarily composed of one racial or ethnic group.
A builder or developer refuses to sell you a home.

Although these are the most common violations, there are others that violate the Federal Fair Housing Act and the City's Human Rights Ordinance.

Those who deal in housing should recognize the practices outlined above as ones to avoid. Such discriminations are against the law, as is blockbusting. Blockbusting is defined as the inducing of owners to sell their homes to escape a minority group. Discriminatory advertising in the sale or rental of housing is also illegal. This includes ads indicating racial preference or limitation in either their content or placement.

The Office of Human Rights has the ability to:

Investigate to see if the law has been broken.
Conduct fact-finding conferences and enter into conciliation agreements to the satisfaction of both parties.
Dual file your complaint, based on contractual agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Atlanta, Georgia.

What is Housing Discrimination?

SYMPTOMS:

The Office of Human Rights has the ability to:

Remember, it's your right to choose where to live.