FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Housing discrimination is one of the most under-reported issues today, yet fair housing is one of the most fundamental civil rights that people have. Federal and state laws protect people from being discriminated against on the basis of: race, national origin/ancestry, religion, sex, familial status, disability, age, marital status, HIV infection, and the use of service animals. Fair housing laws say that it is illegal to do certain things, such as: deny housing, set different terms and conditions on a lease, provide different housing services, or use advertisements that state a preference on one of these basis.

If you, or someone you know, may have been discriminated against in any housing related transaction, there are ways to get help and information. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii`i Fair Housing Enforcement Program will take initial complaints, give advice, provide information, and may help to file a complaint. There are no income requirements to receive help, and services are free of charge. You are urged to call soon, even if you are not sure if what you experienced was an illegal act of housing discrimination.

In addition, the Legal Aid Housing Education and Outreach staff is available to present a free, one-hour workshop on fair Housing Rights and Responsibilities to organizations and groups. To schedule this workshop, which can be customized to meet the time and educational needs of each group, call Jessica DelaCruz at 527-8052.

For more information, advice and assistance call the Legal Aid Society's Fair Housing Enforcement Program Hotline at 527-8024 or for neighbor islands call 1-866-527-FAIR.

Contact:     Jessica DelaCruz
Phone:       (808) 527-8052
E-mail:        jedelac@lashaw.org