If you are facing eviction now, there are resources to help

Whether you are facing an eviction lawsuit or worried about getting evicted in the future, it’s important to understand your rights and what next steps you need to take.

Find help with rent and utilities

If you’re looking for help with housing costs, you’re not alone.

State and local organizations are distributing federal rental assistance in their communities. The money can help landlords and renters who are struggling to keep up with rent and other bills. Many programs take applications from both landlords and renters.

If you live in Montgomery County, click the link below.
https://www.mcohio.org/alert_detail.php

If you live in Greene County, click the link below.
https://miamivalleycap.org/covid-relief/#rent

If you live in Miami County, click the link below.
https://miamivalleycap.org/covid-relief/#rent

If you live in Darke County, click the link below.
https://miamivalleycap.org/covid-relief/#rent

If you live in Preble County, click the link below.
https://miamivalleycap.org/covid-relief/#rent

If you live in Warren County, click the link below.
https://www.co.warren.oh.us/CovidUpdates/ERA/Default.aspx

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a U.S. government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly. During this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the CFPB has also put together a web page with tips and suggestions that may be helpful. Including detailed instructions on what to do if . . .

• An eviction lawsuit has NOT been filed
• An eviction lawsuit HAS been filed against you
• A court has ruled you can be evicted

Click here to learn what the CFPB suggests to do if you're facing eviction.

Talk with your landlord about making a repayment plan. Find out if your landlord is willing to work with you or if they plan to file an eviction lawsuit. Here is information to start that conversation.

Talk with a lawyer, don’t delay.

Housing counselors can help you make a plan based on your situation and needs. HUD Certified housing counselors are available from:

• The HomeOwnership Center
• Miami Valley Community Action Partnership
• Greenpath Financial Wellness
• Neighborhood Housing Partnership of Greater Springfield, Inc.

Summer 2021 newsletter now available

Download our Summer newsletter! The latest edition of the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center’s newsletter is now available to download.

The newsletter has information about Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to restore Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, National Origin Discrimination Facts from the Justice Department, and news from the Miami Valley Fair Housing Collaborative.

To receive new editions of the newsletter via e-mail, become a MVFHC member.

Miami Valley Fair Housing Center joins national alliance praising
Biden’s move to reinstate key Fair Housing Regulations

April 13, 2021 — The Miami Valley Fair Housing Center joined the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and other civil rights organizations from across the country in praising President Biden’s recent moves to reinstate key fair housing regulations that advocates say are essential to ensuring racial equity.

Download the release

“By taking steps to reinstate the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and the 2013 Disparate Impact rule, President Biden is following through with his early commitment to make racial equity and fair housing advancement a cornerstone of his administration’s policy,” said Lisa Rice, President/CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance.

“When Congress passed the Fair Housing Act in 1968, it intended for HUD to take active steps to end housing discrimination, dismantle housing segregation, and tackle systemic racism to expand access to opportunity for everyone. However, an actual framework for fully enforcing these mandates wasn’t put into place until 2015, finally giving local jurisdictions and community stakeholders the process and data needed to identify and redress local barriers to fair housing. NFHA was devastated when the Trump administration gutted this vital framework in 2020 but is very encouraged by President Biden’s move to restore it.”

“Similarly in 2020, the Trump administration finalized its harmful reversal of the 2013 Disparate Impact rule, making it almost impossible for victims of discrimination to effectively fight against systemic racism and discriminatory policies by housing providers, financial institutions, and insurance companies. Today, NFHA is hopeful because the Biden administration has signaled that it will also reinstate this vital rule for addressing systemic discrimination in housing.

“The actions of the Trump administration toward dismantling civil rights enforcement were disgusting and shameful and they need to be swept into the dustbin of history, for the well-being of our country,” said Jim McCarthy, President/CEO of the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center.

While news of the Biden administration’s action is promising, fair housing practitioners assert that the restoration of the two regulations is the least of what needs to be done to address the systemic housing discrimination and segregation that exists in the United States. Inequality drives housing segregation this country. People of color are fated into under-resourced communities that struggle to achieve basic health, safety, educational, and economic opportunities.

“NFHA is glad that the Biden administration acknowledges these structural barriers to housing and racial equity. NFHA looks forward to working closely with the White House, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other leadership within the administration to ensure that racial equity and fair housing remain central to the administration’s plans as it tackles COVID-19 economic recovery, infrastructure, and other key issues. NFHA also looks forward to working with Congress to ensure HUD is properly staffed and provided resources to effectively implement and enforce the reinstated AFFH and Disparate Impact rules,” Lisa Rice concluded.

Previous news items are available here.