Housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability is illegal by federal law.

The Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).  For a more complete explanation of the Fair Housing Act visit the HUD web site.

If you are experiencing housing issues, the following is a list of resources for you to contact in this area:

AGENCIES:

Contra Costa County Housing Services Collaborative
The Collaborative brings together the expertise of three primary housing service providers listed below. It is a FREE comprehensive housing services collaborative including:

• Tenant-Landlord Counseling
• Fair Housing
• Legal Advice and Representation
• Education and Outreach

HOUSING RIGHTS INC.
Services offered: fair housing investigation of discrimination complaints, counseling for tenant & landlord rights, mediation and conflict resolution and fair housing responsibility workshops. Their mission is to fight for equal access to housing for everyone by eliminating barriers to housing choice such as discrimination, sub-standard housing, ignorance, apathy and malice in order to eradicate illegal housing discrimination, prevent evictions/foreclosures and encourage diversity in our neighborhoods.

1966 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, Ca.
www.housingrights.org
1-800-261-2298 or 510-548-8776

PACIFIC COMMUNITY SERVICES & HOUSING RIGHTS
329 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, CA  94565
925-439-1056 or 800-914-6874 Housing counselors
www.pcis.org

BAY AREA LEGAL AID
www.baylegal.org
510-663-4755
925-219-3325
800-551-5554

Download Collaborative Flier here.

RESOURCES

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING
DFEH's statutory mandate is to protect the people of California from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations pursuant to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Government Code section 12900, et seq., the Unruh Civil Rights Act, Civil Code section 51, et seq., and the Ralph Civil Rights Act, Civil Code section 51.7.

DFEH has jurisdiction over both private and public entities operating within the State of California, including corporate entities, private sector contracts granted by the State of California, and all State departments and local governments.

Contact:
www.dfeh.ca.gov

Housing: 1-800-233-3210 or 510-622-2956
Local Office: 1515 Clay Street, Suite 701, Oakland, CA 94612
TTY: 1-800-700-2320

• Download California Tenants - a Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities here. 
• Download a brochure for the "Virtual" Self-Help Law Center here.

HOMES & COMMUNITIES
US Department of Housing and Development

OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 5204
451 Seventh St. SW
Washington, DC 20410-2000

DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Quick guide to residential tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities

OTHER SERVICES

• Dail 2-1-1 or visit www.211contracosta.org to access information regarding numerous individual and family resources.
• Legal Services of Northern California www.lsnc.net
• East Contra Costa Quick Resources Guide (Updated May 2009)