Fair Housing

The City of Union is committed to ensuring equal housing opportunity for all people. Federal and state fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, financing, and advertising of housing.

Federal Fair Housing Act

The federal Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995) prohibits discrimination in housing based on the following protected classes:

Race
Color
Religion
Sex (including sexual harassment)
National origin
Familial status (families with children under 18, pregnant women, people securing custody of children)
Disability (physical or mental)

Oregon Fair Housing Law

Oregon law (ORS 659A) provides additional protections beyond federal law. In Oregon, it is also unlawful to discriminate in housing based on:

Source of income (including Housing Choice Vouchers / Section 8)
Marital status
Sexual orientation
Gender identity

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing

The City of Union certifies that it is Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) as required by federal law. This means the city takes meaningful actions to overcome patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice, foster inclusive communities, and ensure access to opportunity for all residents, regardless of protected class status.

What Constitutes Housing Discrimination

Housing discrimination can take many forms, including but not limited to:

Refusing to rent or sell housing
Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for the sale or rental of housing
Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
Making housing unavailable or denying housing to a person
Refusing to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities
Retaliating against any person who has filed a fair housing complaint or assisted in an investigation

How to File a Complaint

If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination, you may file a complaint with any of the following agencies:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD Portland Field Office: (971) 222-2600
HUD Toll-Free: 1-800-669-9777
HUD TTY: 1-800-927-9275
Online: File a complaint with HUD

Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)

BOLI Civil Rights Division: (971) 673-0764
Online: File a complaint with BOLI

Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO)

Phone: (503) 223-8197
Toll-Free: 1-800-424-3247
Online: Fair Housing Council of Oregon

The FHCO provides free counseling, investigation, and referral services for people who have experienced housing discrimination.

Applicable Laws and References

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act)
Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988
Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 (HOPA)
Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 659A (ORS 659A)

For questions about fair housing in Union, contact City Hall at (541) 562-5197.