SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HOUSING IS ILLEGAL!

"Fair housing improves the lives of the individuals we serve by giving them the power to fight back. Many of our clients are members of marginalized groups and have been made to feel powerless. Our work empowers people and gives them access to legal representation and advocates who don't just care about the outcome of their case, but are invested in them as people. For example, when we learned of a landlord who was engaging in the unlawful practice of sexually harassing his tenants, we worked tirelessly to stop his predatory behavior and get justice for the women whom he targeted and harassed. I am grateful to be able to provide an invaluable service to our clients and am glad to be a member of the Metropolitan Fair Housing Council of Oklahoma team."

-Ge'Andra Johnson
Staff Attorney & Legal Program Director
Metropolitan Fair Housing Council of Oklahoma, Inc.

"As a property manager, I rented homes owned by my employer. I felt it was my obligation to rent to families fairly. Once I became aware that my employer was sexually harassing female tenants, I knew I had to help them because he was sexually harassing me. I contacted Metro Fair Housing Council of Oklahoma, Inc. (MFHC), who made this situation their priority. They took legal action against someone who harassed female tenants for years. I am thankful for MFHC. Without their assistance this property owner's sexual harassment would have continued."

-Darnel Jackson
Survivor

"I watched the Fair Housing Act empower and unite the women who were once alone and not believed, amplifying their voices so they could no longer be ignored and discounted. It was one of the highlights of my career to be part of the team that helped survivors of sexual harassment assert their fair housing rights against the institution and the people who harmed them. It truly was remarkable to see this transformation unfold and to see the changes that resulted not only for the survivors themselves, but also for the women who came after them. The protections of the Fair Housing Act play a key role in helping courageous clients to come forward and persevere. Without our funding from HUD, Legal Aid of North Carolina would not have been in able to join our co-counsel Craig Hensel and Christopher Brancart in representing these remarkable women."

-Kelly Clarke
Supervising Attorney
Fair Housing Project - Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc.

"The Metropolitan Fair Housing Council of Oklahoma, Inc. (MFHC), improved my life and the lives of my children. Being a single mother, the worst fear is not being able to feel safe in your home and not being able to protect your family. MFHC took a stand with me to stop sexual harassment from my landlord and I will continue to stand and fight for woman's rights."

-Raquel Hall-Hubbard
Survivor

"As a lawyer, I have litigated sexual harassment cases under the Fair Housing Act. I was privileged to see many brave women come forward, make their voices heard, and obtain justice. As an academic, I am continuing to gather the stories of women who have been sexually harassed by their landlords, so I know there is still much work to be done."

-Rigel Oliveri, Professor
University of Missouri
Isabelle Wade and Paul C. Lyda School of Law

"A young mother, alone, and in need of assistance.  I was given approval to live in a home that was supposed to be a sanctuary for me and my children. We were grateful that we finally qualified for housing. Unfortunately, the home inspector made it crystal clear that unless I complied with his sexual advances, he would use his power not to sign off on my voucher for housing. I chose not to remain silent about this injustice and to uplift my voice. I knew I wasn't alone; so many others had been abused and violated like me. Using the Fair Housing Act, together we could be heard and be a united force against abusers. Remaining silent would have given strength to the abusers but speaking out gave us power over them. It was my duty to speak out for others who have and may undergo abuse. Thanks to the Fair Housing Act, we have the freedom not to allow predators to hold power over us."

-Khristen Sellers
Survivor

"We didn't know the term "fair housing" when I was growing up in a segregated city, living in public housing in the 1950's and 1960's, but I personally witnessed unfair treatment by landlords. I witnessed how educating tenants about civil rights empowered them to fight against discrimination and inspired me to believe in housing rights almost 50 years ago. Over the past 41 years I have seen fair housing education, community outreach and fair housing enforcement improve many hundreds of lives. Fair housing funding from HUD/FHEO has allowed the Metropolitan Fair Housing Council to expand needed fair housing resources to Oklahomans alleging housing discrimination as we celebrate our 40th year of service."

-Mary Dulan
Executive Director
Metropolitan Fair Housing Council Oklahoma, Inc.

"There are many unsung heroes in the world of fair housing, but the countless positive outcomes that arise from our fair housing work cannot be achieved without the Complainants' willingness to come forward and take that courageous first step. It seems that these days, many outside forces conspire to erode trust in our institutions, but I know that confidence is restored in our communities - one case at a time, one person at a time - when our work touches the lives of those we serve. I am humbled by the task I have before me in my work as a fair housing investigator. When I was asked to write this testimonial, it brought to mind the following quote by American philosopher William James: "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." It really does."

-Laura Ishida
HUD Equal Opportunity Specialist
Los Angeles, California